Harps On Grassroot Safety Campaign

Hajiya Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMM&BE), has engaged the management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on strengthening safety awareness and improving service delivery across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

The meeting, held in Abuja, focused on familiarising the Permanent Secretary with NIWA’s operations and assessing how the Authority’s programmes align with the Ministry’s mandate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Addressing the session, the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Yusuf Umar Girei, alongside members of the management team, briefed Mahmood on the Authority’s core mandate, vision and mission, as well as key achievements and operational challenges. He said NIWA has continued to roll out initiatives with visible impact in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Girei noted that the Authority is sustaining collaboration with the private sector to enhance efficiency and expand service delivery. According to him, such partnerships remain vital to unlocking the economic potential of inland waterways while improving navigation, infrastructure and safety standards nationwide.

In her response, Mahmood commended NIWA for its efforts and emphasised the need to broaden safety sensitisation. She urged the Authority to take awareness campaigns to religious centres in order to reach more water users and operators.

She also encouraged closer collaboration with sister agencies, improved human capital development, stronger engagement with the media for public enlightenment, and regular updates to the Ministry on NIWA’s activities and progress.

From the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, officials in attendance included Hajiya Kalthum Ibrahim, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics; Mr. Oyinloye Adeola Meshack, Director of Maritime Services Department; and other staff of the Office of the Permanent Secretary.

The NIWA delegation included Barrister Naziru Biyankare, General Manager, Legal Services; Dan’Azumi Muazu, General Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics; Engr. Dakio Horsefall, General Manager, Marine Services; Engr. Fidelis Ejike, General Manager, Engineering Services; and Surv. Henry Adimoha, General Manager, Survey Services.