The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu has stated that all maritime agencies in the country are looking for ways to harmonize their operations.
Moghalu disclosed this while briefing the Press at the end of All Heads of Maritime Agencies Monthly Meeting hosted by NIWA at the Authority’s Headquarters, Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to Dr. Moghalu, the Meeting looked at issues concerning maritime security and safety, they received briefings from both NIMASA and NIWA and also the efforts made so far in the area of trade, development of manpower, enforcing the protocols to reduce the carnage on the waterways and the removal of wrecks which was being address by all the sister agencies in the country.
He further stated that the meeting set up a committee on Multi-Model approach to cargo delivery adding that there was also a briefing on Nigerian Railway Corporation for its support on cargo movement from the ports to the dry Port especially in Kaduna as well as an update from the Director General of NIMASA on the deployment of a modular floating dock. T
According to him, the committee also looked at the movement of cargoes from Lagos port to Onitsha River port and other ports within the country putting to active use of the waterways and also other related issues were deliberated.
The MD earlier in his opening address said, “it is very important for us in the maritime sector to have decided to setup a platform where we can share ideas, synergize as well as where we can contribute our quota 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 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”.
During questions and answers session on flooding sensitization, security and safety on the nation’s waterways, the MD said NIWA has a department that monitors flood and gives their report which is made available to other agencies so that people can be aware and take precaution noting that NIWA has also been running radio jingles and newspaper advertorials to sensitize the general public on flood disaster.
He further said government is conscious and making effort on security and also taking safety measures on the waterways so that it can have positive impact on the economy and the image of the country.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Bashir Jamoh, DG, Nigerian Maritime and Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council; Mr. Samuel Nwakohu, Registrar Council for the Regulation Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and representatives from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC).
Photo: A cross-section of the Heads of the Maritime Agencies during the meeting at Lokoja, Kogi State capital on Thursday.
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