The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has commissioned a 36 seater ferry boat at Yelwa – Yauri, Kebbi State.
Ag. General Manager Corporate Affairs of NIWA, Jibril, Darda’u, made the information known in a statement on Thursday.
He said that the Managing Director of NIWA, Chief Dr. George Moghalu, in his remarks on the occasion of the event, expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to the Authority to procure the 36 seater ferry boat on behalf of Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah as part of his constituency project.
Moghalu appreciated the Senator for his commitment and desire to create the enabling environment for water transportation to grow, just s as he also acknowledged the support given to NIWA by the Yauri Emirate Council in fulfilling its official responsibilities.
He further stated that the importance of water transportation could not be over emphasized for both facilitating the transportation of cargos and personnel in strengthening Nigeria’s economy and at the same time exploring tourism potentials of water transportation.
The MD appealed to the government of Kebbi State to encourage NIWA by assisting it to ensure companies, organizations and the public using NIWA’s right of way, which is one hundred metres perpendicular from the point of river, pay their legitimate fees.
In his speech, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah promised to bring more developments to his people as the ferry being commissioned is just the beginning, as two more ferries are on their way coming, one from Lagos and the other from China. He also said, in addition to the Jetties he has built before in the area, he is also planning in conjunction with NIWA to build a ferry terminal.
Thereafter, the Emir of Yelwa – Yauri, HRH. Dr. Muhammed Zayyanu Abdullahi (CON) cut the tape to commission the new ferry boat and there was a boat ride in compliance with the Covid-19 safety protocols.
Earlier, the Managing Director paid a courtesy call to the Emir of Yauri, in which during the visit the Emir raised three critical issues in the areas of litigation, clearing of water hyacinth/removal of wrecks and the development of the Inland Waterways for the optimum benefit of his people.
Responding, the MD promised to address all the issues raised by the Royal Father.
