Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enhance water safety, expand inland transportation, and stimulate economic growth in the state and across the country.
The governor gave the assurance through his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, during a courtesy visit by the Chairman and members of the NIWA Governing Board to the Government House, Lokoja, on Friday.
In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Unubi Emmanuel, Governor Ododo congratulated the board members on their recent appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, expressing confidence in their experience and capacity to effectively drive NIWA’s mandate of developing and regulating Nigeria’s inland waterways.
He commended NIWA and its Water Marshals for their prompt, professional, and life-saving interventions during recent boat mishaps at Kupa in November 2024 and Ibaji in September 2025, noting that their swift response significantly reduced casualties and prevented greater loss of lives and property.
The governor described Kogi State as proud to host the headquarters of NIWA in Lokoja, stressing that the state occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s inland waterways network and plays a central role in national transportation and economic integration.
He further emphasized that the Kogi State Government recognizes inland waterways as critical drivers of trade, tourism, job creation, and sustainable development, assuring NIWA of a peaceful, secure, and enabling environment to effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, CFR, said the visit was to familiarize the board with the government and people of Kogi State as the host state of the Authority.
Barrister Shagari commended Governor Ododo for his development-driven leadership and pledged NIWA’s continued partnership with the Kogi State Government, adding that the Authority remains committed to creating new economic opportunities for youths through river transportation, ferry services, fishing, boat building, and other water-based enterprises.
