Opinion
Safer Waterways; Oyebamiji’s Overtures at NIWA
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Since the appointment of Mr Bola Oyebamiji as Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA ,one year down the line,the regulatory and supervisory as well as safety roles of the Waterways agency capable of ensuring safety on Nigeria’s water corridor had been on the highest pedestal .
Armed with deep experience and resume from the private sector for over two decades, and as a former public officer in Osun state who manned the Finance Ministry of the State twice, the administrative and political strategy garnered over the years had become a veritable tools towards repositioning the age long agency yearning for a virile leadership.
Not long after settling down for his onerous assignment of managing NIWA, Oyebamiji embarked on massive consultations both at the headquarters and zonal offices, to familiarize himself with the intricacies of the new assignment, as well as chart a new way for more reforms and transformation of the age long agency.
The visits enabled him to familiarize with the progress, prospects and problems of the agency towards drawing a new leaf of life to the water management agency.
While considering the staff welfare , development and capacity building to deliver on its mandate, the new leadership under Bola Oyebamiji embarked on massive reorientation of all stakeholders in the agency, to enable them key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Worried by the frequent mishap on water ways before his assumption of duty and after resuming office , he embarked on wholistic rejigging of the regulatory and supervisory roles of staffers of the agency who are directly involved in the management of water ways .
This led to the improved and increased hours of monitoring of water ways to all round the clock, away from the previous 12 hrs in a day , while more hands were engaged to give more room for modest and modern ways of water ways monitoring and management.
Not controlling any unforseen circumstances, Oyebamiji and his management team recently visited areas were they were boats capsized particularly the recent ones in Mokwa axis, and Lagos state among many others, to commiserate with the people of the areas and also educate them on the need to adhere to safety regulations on the water ways .
This was against the backdrop of the previous leadership who indulged in only sending condolences without acquainting themselves of the circumstances that led to the mishap and the way to avert further incidences.
During his visit to Mokwa -Jebba areas of Kwara and Niger state , he held a town hall meetings with stakeholders and community leaders on the need to continue to educate citizens on approaches to water ways transportation.
He advised against night travels on water ways , deployment of worn out boats and arks and avoid overloading, that many atimes were responsible from the unfortunate incidences.
Oyebamiji who maintained that water ways accidents will be avoidable if the people in the riverine areas adhere strictly to the safety rules introduced and managed by the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA.
He also used the opportunity to visit those families that lost their lives and donated unspecified items to them , while advising strongly against flouting safety regulations particularly on the water ways.
The new approach of visiting areas of water ways mishaps occurred was another opportunity and administrative wizardry introduced by the new leadership to caution indigenes on the water corridor on the need to imbibe safety regulations, and to also adhere strictly to regulatory and supervisory measures put in place by the Authority.
Bola Oyebamiji new wave of developing water ways through provision of more ferries, safety regulations, inspection and monitoring of water ways by it’s staffers , will no doubt translate to a better stead which will in turn reduced to the barest minimum the growing number of water ways accidents in recent times.
With versed experiences garnered both from the private and public sector , no doubt a new dawn has debuted in National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA under his leadership.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.