NIWA Intensifies Waterway Safety Campaign in Abuja as Flood Risks Rise During Peak Rainy Season

As Nigeria enters the peak of the rainy season with rising water levels and heightened environmental concerns, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has intensified its campaign to promote marine safety and environmental protection across waterfront communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The renewed effort took the NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office to communities in the Abaji Area Council on Wednesday, where residents were sensitised on safe navigation practices, accident prevention, and the importance of protecting the nation’s inland waterways from pollution.

The campaign comes at a critical time when increased rainfall often leads to dangerous water conditions, making safety awareness essential for communities that rely on waterways for transportation and livelihoods.

Speaking during the exercise, the Area Manager of NIWA Abuja, Hajia Aisha Eri, commended the host communities for their warm reception and cooperation. She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring safer inland waterways through continuous public enlightenment and strict enforcement of safety standards.

According to her, the sensitisation programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which places high priority on safeguarding lives and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against water transportation accidents and other violations of established safety regulations.

Traditional institutions also threw their weight behind the initiative. The Emir of Kwali, HRH Alhaji Adamu Saba Aguma, praised NIWA for taking proactive steps to educate riverine communities, assuring the agency of the full support of traditional rulers in promoting compliance with waterway safety regulations.

Other community leaders, including John Dogole, District Head of Kundu and Sarkin Tungbufu; Mohammed Yusuf Ayahaya Nassarawa, Sarkin Nassarawa; Musa Wabai, Sarkin Kutara; Musa Alanana, Sarkin Kwago and Padama; and Abdullahi Kwakwa, Sarkin Kwakwa, equally applauded the awareness campaign. They pledged to work closely with NIWA in ensuring that residents observe the safety measures introduced during the exercise.

The nationwide sensitisation campaign follows a directive from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, mandating sustained engagement with littoral communities to reduce accidents and promote environmental sustainability across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Similarly, the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, has instructed all Area Offices to treat the campaign as a top operational priority.

With the Abuja Area Office set to extend the exercise to more waterfront communities across the FCT in the coming week, NIWA says the initiative remains a key strategy in preventing avoidable waterway accidents while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among residents.

As the rainy season continues, the authority is urging all water transport operators, boat users, and riverside communities to comply with safety regulations, use approved life jackets, and support efforts to keep Nigeria’s inland waterways safe and free from pollution.