Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, the
Managing Director, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has pledged
to introduce measures that will make the nation’s inland waterways attractive
for the movement of cargo and passengers.
Managing Director, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has pledged
to introduce measures that will make the nation’s inland waterways attractive
for the movement of cargo and passengers.
Mamora made the pledge in Lokoja
on Wednesday while formally assuming his new position.
on Wednesday while formally assuming his new position.
He said that the country and the
people stood to benefit tremendously from the inland waterways, if well
managed.
people stood to benefit tremendously from the inland waterways, if well
managed.
He cited the present chaotic
traffic situation on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos as one of the reasons the
inland waterways must be developed and made suitable for all-year round
navigation.
traffic situation on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos as one of the reasons the
inland waterways must be developed and made suitable for all-year round
navigation.
Mamora said that Nigeria remained
one of the few countries in the world with the highest number of road crashes
due to over-dependence on roads.
one of the few countries in the world with the highest number of road crashes
due to over-dependence on roads.
According to him, this can be
reversed by the developing the inland waterways.
reversed by the developing the inland waterways.
The new Managing Director also
said that conflicts with sister agencies would be resolved amicably, rather
than resort to litigation.
said that conflicts with sister agencies would be resolved amicably, rather
than resort to litigation.
He also promised to ensure the
completion of the Lokoja inland port during his tenure.
completion of the Lokoja inland port during his tenure.
He thanked the Acting Managing
Director, Mr Danladi Ibrahim, for his services to the nation, urging him to
remain committed to the organisation.
Director, Mr Danladi Ibrahim, for his services to the nation, urging him to
remain committed to the organisation.
Mamora described himself as a team
player, adding that his focus would be to improve on the situation he met on
ground.
player, adding that his focus would be to improve on the situation he met on
ground.
“This is a team event not a solo
affair. Everybody is important in a team event and that is the way it is going
to be under my tenure.”
affair. Everybody is important in a team event and that is the way it is going
to be under my tenure.”
He solicited for the understanding
and support of the management and staff of NIWA and charged them to remain
dedicated to their duties.
and support of the management and staff of NIWA and charged them to remain
dedicated to their duties.
Earlier, Ibrahim listed his
achievements within the period to include the procurement of cargo handling
equipment for the Baro Inland port and the study tour of River Benue, the
second longest river in the country.
achievements within the period to include the procurement of cargo handling
equipment for the Baro Inland port and the study tour of River Benue, the
second longest river in the country.
Ibrahim said that the dredging of
River Benue would soon commence, adding that construction works on 12 inland
waterway ports across the country had reached different completion stages.
River Benue would soon commence, adding that construction works on 12 inland
waterway ports across the country had reached different completion stages.
He sought the support and loyalty of the
staff to the NIWA helmsman.
staff to the NIWA helmsman.
He further said that Mamora’s
experience as a medical doctor and two-term senator, would assist him in his
new assignment. (NAN)
experience as a medical doctor and two-term senator, would assist him in his
new assignment. (NAN)
