The
Area Offices of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Onitsha,
Warri and the Onitsha River Port have cried out over the lack of functional
vehicles, inadequate staff and conflicts with sister agencies as their major
constrains in their areas of operations.
Area Offices of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Onitsha,
Warri and the Onitsha River Port have cried out over the lack of functional
vehicles, inadequate staff and conflicts with sister agencies as their major
constrains in their areas of operations.
The
two Area Managers and the Onitsha River Port Manager explained these
constraints to the NIWA Managing Director, Senator Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe
Mamora, when he visited those area offices as part of his familiarisation tour
of NIWA facilities.
two Area Managers and the Onitsha River Port Manager explained these
constraints to the NIWA Managing Director, Senator Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe
Mamora, when he visited those area offices as part of his familiarisation tour
of NIWA facilities.
At
the Onitsha Area Office, Mrs. Uchi Amadi, the Area Manager, said the Area
Office in a bid to boost and diversify her revenue base was reaching out to the
public, private partnership to develop and industrialise her floodable plains
right of way and utilization of Island along the waterways for recreation,
agriculture and cattle ranching.
the Onitsha Area Office, Mrs. Uchi Amadi, the Area Manager, said the Area
Office in a bid to boost and diversify her revenue base was reaching out to the
public, private partnership to develop and industrialise her floodable plains
right of way and utilization of Island along the waterways for recreation,
agriculture and cattle ranching.
She
however, said their major challenges in the area office was inadequate staff,
non-functional vehicles, challenges from sister agencies like Ministry of Solid
Minerals Development over jurisdiction and the effort of the Authority at
recovering some NIWA properties illegally occupied or annexed.
however, said their major challenges in the area office was inadequate staff,
non-functional vehicles, challenges from sister agencies like Ministry of Solid
Minerals Development over jurisdiction and the effort of the Authority at
recovering some NIWA properties illegally occupied or annexed.
At
the Onitsha River Port complex, the port manager, Mr. Baba Spencer, explained
to the Managing Director that since the inception of the River Port, their mode
of operations had been strictly port- related activities, that is, use of port
facilities given as slipway, use of the port water front and occasional
berthing of crafts.
the Onitsha River Port complex, the port manager, Mr. Baba Spencer, explained
to the Managing Director that since the inception of the River Port, their mode
of operations had been strictly port- related activities, that is, use of port
facilities given as slipway, use of the port water front and occasional
berthing of crafts.
The
port manager cited issues of security as their major challenge. He explained that the collapse of the
perimeter fence by the port slipway and the lease to M & E dredging
services as dumpsites were highly prone to security risk.
port manager cited issues of security as their major challenge. He explained that the collapse of the
perimeter fence by the port slipway and the lease to M & E dredging
services as dumpsites were highly prone to security risk.
He
further called for the reinforcement of the perimeter fence, maintenance of the
port equipment, rehabilitation of the dilapidated fire services station and
allocation of operational vehicle which the port does not have at the moment.
further called for the reinforcement of the perimeter fence, maintenance of the
port equipment, rehabilitation of the dilapidated fire services station and
allocation of operational vehicle which the port does not have at the moment.
At
the Warri Area Office, the Managing Director was received by the Area Manager,
Engr. Tammuno Fiberesima who briefed him on the activities of the area office,
which include berthing services, loading and off-loading services, rents of
space and warehouse amongst others.
the Warri Area Office, the Managing Director was received by the Area Manager,
Engr. Tammuno Fiberesima who briefed him on the activities of the area office,
which include berthing services, loading and off-loading services, rents of
space and warehouse amongst others.
The
area manager said the dockyard services, which is the slipway, was not
operational now as it is undergoing rehabilitation.
area manager said the dockyard services, which is the slipway, was not
operational now as it is undergoing rehabilitation.
According
to Engr. Fiberesima, their major challenges include lack of functional
vehicles, lack of functional boats for revenue drive and general patrol as well
as lack of adequate staff and training.
to Engr. Fiberesima, their major challenges include lack of functional
vehicles, lack of functional boats for revenue drive and general patrol as well
as lack of adequate staff and training.
In
his reaction to all their requests, the managing director encouraged them and
urged them to still put in their best to the growth and development of the
Authority.
his reaction to all their requests, the managing director encouraged them and
urged them to still put in their best to the growth and development of the
Authority.
On
that note, the managing director promised to address the requests of the area
offices based on merit and availability of funds, in order to meet up their
official obligations.
that note, the managing director promised to address the requests of the area
offices based on merit and availability of funds, in order to meet up their
official obligations.
He
urged all the staff to rededicate themselves at their places of work and that
NIWA would continue to support them.
urged all the staff to rededicate themselves at their places of work and that
NIWA would continue to support them.
