The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, says it will deepen collaboration with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, to improve safety and reduce boat accidents across the country’s inland waterways.

The Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Malam Umar Yusuf Girei, gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh on a courtesy visit at the NIWA Headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Girei said the partnership would focus on collaboration, information sharing and joint operations to tackle the persistent challenge of boat mishaps.

According to him, effective cooperation among relevant stakeholders is critical to ensuring safer navigation and the protection of lives and property on Nigeria’s waterways.

“NIWA is dedicated to strengthening partnerships with sister agencies to improve safety standards and enforce regulations for safer water transportation in Nigeria,” he stated.

The Acting MD further assured the NSIB delegation of NIWA’s readiness to provide relevant information, technical expertise and operational support. This, he said, will facilitate timely investigations into marine incidents and help develop preventive measures to reduce future occurrences.

Earlier, the NSIB Director General, Captain Badeh, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between both agencies and exploring areas of collaboration in accident investigation, data sharing and safety standards.