NIWA Signs 5-years Agreement with Private Firm on Training of Boat Operators

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By DAPO OLAWUNI

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has signed a five years consultancy-partnership agreement with a private firm; Metropolitan Waterways Concept Limited on training and certification of boat captains and skippers on Lagos waterways.

The agreement was signed last weekend at the Abuja Liaison office of NIWA by Danladi Ibrahim Esq for NIWA, while the President/CEO of Metropolitan Waterways Concepts Ltd, Engr(Dr) Lateef Adio Onikoyi and the company’s Abuja Liaison officer Mrs Nkechi. A. Novia signed on behalf of the Company.

DAILY TREND NEWS gathered exclusively that it was agreed between both parties that Metropolitan Waterways Concept Limited shall be the sole partner with NIWA on the training and certification of boat handlers within the Lagos Axis for the duration of the agreement.

In the agreement signed, the firm is expected to provide the training facilities for the boat operators, bear the cost of maintenance of the training facilities as well as the training cost, to ensure that the training is open to both corporate boat owners and commercial skippers.

Other terms include “To ensure that the training is in accordance with the approved course content and modules; Ensure that the fees remain as stipulated in the Letter of Award; Issue a certificate of Attendance to all trainees who successfully complete their course;

“Ensure adequate safety and security measures including Covid19 protocols are adhered to;
not cause any disturbance or alteration to the Marine environment; be liable to any damage or induce damage cause to a third party that resulted in such in cause of its operation within the approved channels”

Recall that the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu had at a recent quarterly stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos recently assured boat operators and other stakeholders, that the agreement with Metropolitan Waterways Concept was to ensure all-year safety on the waterways by standardising operating procedures within the sector.

The mandatory Small Power Boat and RIB Master training course to be delivered in partnership with Metropolitan Waterways is designed for beginners and experienced boat owners and captains interested in refreshing their basic seamanship.

Accordingly, it is now compulsory to take the Small Power BOAT/RIB course as a prerequisite to obtain NIWA Captain License. Similarly, the SPB course certificate makes it eligible to apply for the NIWA Captain/skipper Licence as a boat operator on Nigeria inland waterways.

“We are greatly saddened each time we hear incident of boat mishap,” said George Moghalu, the managing director, NIWA, stating that the license can be used anywhere within Nigeria.

Moghalu who was represented by Joseph Ororo, General Manager, marine, NIWA stated.

He said the training is long overdue and has started in Delta and Bayelsa States.

According to him, the licence will be renewed every three years and solicit the support of stakeholders in ensuring that the programme is successful.

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