The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Chief Dr. George Moghalu has said that all Maritime Agencies in the country are looking for ways to harmonize their operations.
Moghalu stated this while briefing Newsmen at the end of All Heads of Maritime Agencies Monthly Meeting hosted by NIWA at the Authority’s Headquarters, on Thursday in Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to him, the Meeting deliberated on the issues concerning Maritime Security and Safety, where it was briefed by both NIMASA and NIWA on their efforts so far made in the areas of trade, manpower development and enforcing the protocols to reduce the carnage on our Waterways, other efforts made by the agencies he said, includes: the removal of wrecks in our waterways .
The Managing Director further stated that the house set up a committee on multi-model approach to cargo delivery adding that the meeting was briefed on Nigeria Railway Corporation for it support on cargo movement from ports to the dry port, especially Kaduna dry port,while the Managing Director of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, in his on contributions updated the meeting on the deployment of a modular floating dock.
The monthly meeting also deliberated on the movement of Cargoes from Lagos Port to Onitsha River Port and other Ports within the Country and putting to active use of the Waterways were among the vital issues discussed .
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of NIWA,Dr George Moghalu, said it has become necessary for all the Stakeholders in maritime sector to set up a platform where they can share ideas.
“it is very important for us in the Maritime Sector to have decided to setup a platform we can share ideas, synergize where we can contribute our quarter in developing polices and building the Maritime Industry.
This is our Third meeting and is expected that this meeting will continue as we set issues that concern the Maritime Industry.
We will discuss ways on how to find solutions so that we can put them to use in our various establishments and at the same time bring solutions to the government at large” Moghalu said.
When asked on flooding sensitization, security and safety on our Waterways, Moghalu explained that NIWA has a department that monitors flood and gives their report which according to him is made available to other agencies so that people can be aware and take precaution.
He further announced that NIWA has also be running radio jingles and newspaper advertorials to sensitize the general public on flood disaster.
He stated that government is conscious and making efforts on security which includes,, taking safety measures on our Waterways so that it can have positive impact on the economy and image of the Country.
The meeting was attended by the Chief host,and managing Director of NIWA,Dr George Moghalu, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Director Geneneral and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Maritime and Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA),and Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council.
Others at the meeting are; Mr. Sam Nwakohu, Registrar Council for the regulation freight forwarding in Nigeria (C.F.F.N) representatives of Nigerian Customs service and Nigerian Railways Corporation among others.
