The National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA has improved its revenue generation to N11billion from N1billion.
NIWA made the revelation in a rejoinder debunking a publication by Business and Maritime West Africa editorial, which insinuated that the agency has been sleeping under Moghalu’s administration.
The rejoinder was issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NIWA, Jibril Darda’u saying the increase in revenue has made the authority to be self-reliant in personnel cost and pulling out of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS)
The agency also reeled out several milestones and achievements under Moghalu as NIWA’s MD in the last four years.
“Part of the achievements include, the successful concessioning of Onitsha River port; Onitsha River port, which was built in the Second Republic during the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and laid dormant until during the Goodluck Jonathan administration when it was rehabilitated and commissioned without putting it into use.
“But with the efforts of George Moghalu as MD of NIWA, he was able to break the jinx and successfully completed the concessionning process and handed over the port to Elysium Consortium Limited, which is now in operation and yielding economic value to the nation.
“It is also on record that NIWA recorded the highest revenue generation under Moghalu’s administration since its inception, from above N1 billion to over N11 billion, thus making the authority self-reliant on personnel cost and pulling out from the IPPIS,” the agency said in its rejoinder.
According to the agency, an important milestone of Moghalu’s administration has been the resuscitation of projects that had been comatose for decades, which include Lokoja River Port, Oguta River Port, construction of jetties and refurbishing of old ones for the benefit of Nigerians.
“On the issue of boat mishaps, it is unfortunate that the loss of human lives is labelled as a willful act of the authority by the writer. NIWA regrets the loss of any life or property on our waterways. And since Moghalu’s administration, relentless efforts have been made at sensitising boat operators and passengers, training of boat operators in Port Harcourt, Warri and Lagos, and the programme is continuing in other states, and enforcement of all safety protocols.
“Free distribution of life jackets to boat associations; recruiting water marshals to enforce our safety guidelines; search and rescue stations in 11 locations; and the procurement of patrol boats.
“For the avoidance of doubt and in order to enlighten the general public on the landmark achievements recorded under George Moghalu, it is necessary for the authority to mention, among others, the following: River training works from Baro to Warri, construction of jetty at Odekpe, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State, and construction of Jetty 2 at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
“Construction of 30-man house boat, HB Kpakiama, with water sewage treatment plant; rehabilitation of Yauri-Yelwa area office; provision of floating jetties at Lekki Phase 1 and Oworonshoki in Lagos; procurement of 3T, 5T and 25T forklifts at Baro Port; procurement of one mobile boom crane 80 tons at Baro Port; increased advocacy for compliance with inland code; prompt prosecution of defaulters of the Inland Waters Transportation Code, with a view to ensuring deterrent to others.
“Enforcement of COVID-19 protocols on all boat operators and passengers on inland waterways to ensure safety and health of all waterways users; clearing debris and water hyacinth from the nation’s waterways in fulfilment of its environmental responsibilities; reconstruction of collapsed fence at Onitsha NIWA area office; commissioned a 36-seater ferry boat at Yelwa Yauri, Kebbi State (NIWA procured the ferry on behalf of Distinguished Senator Bala Ibn NaAllah), among others,” the agency stated.
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