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NIWA To Phase Out Wooden Boats Amid Rising Accident Rates

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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is taking decisive action to enhance safety on Nigerian waterways by proposing the phased elimination of wooden boats, particularly those used for passenger transport.

Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji announced this initiative during a press conference in Lagos on Friday, highlighting the urgent need to address the rising incidence of boat accidents across the nation.

READ MORE: Court Summons DSS DG For Obstructing Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Rights

Describing the initiative as a comprehensive approach to improving safety, Oyebamiji stated that he plans to engage the Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Presidency to establish this proposal as a national directive.

“We are considering phasing out wooden boats, especially passenger boats,” he said, emphasizing the need for a structured implementation plan that includes short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals to ensure minimal disruption to inland waterway operations.

In conjunction with this proposal, NIWA is intensifying its safety awareness efforts within riverine communities.

The agency has increased collaboration with traditional and religious leaders to amplify grassroots education on safe water transportation practices.

Oyebamiji noted that the recent launch of the Inland Waterways Transportation Code has prompted these heightened outreach activities.

To strengthen enforcement of safety regulations, NIWA has boosted the number of waterways marshals from 80 to 350.

According to him, these marshals will be tasked with ensuring compliance with safety protocols. “Our experience in Gbajigbo, Niger State, led us to engage Transportation Commissioners from the 24 states with navigable waterways, with 23 of them participating in a recent meeting in Abuja,” he added.

Oyebamiji also called on state governments with navigable waterways and private sector operators to invest in safety measures and operational efficiency.

He underscored the importance of using standard life jackets and advised against nighttime travel on waterways to mitigate accident risks.

While wrecks on the waterways pose significant navigational hazards, Oyebamiji reassured that NIWA is working closely with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to tackle this issue.

However, he pointed out that human errors—such as overloading, unsafe nighttime travel, and inadequate boating skills—remain the most frequent causes of accidents.

As the nation grapples with a surge in boat accidents, NIWA’s initiative to phase out wooden boats represents a crucial step toward ensuring safer water transportation in Nigeria.

 

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We Load 2,900 Trucks Daily, Evacuate Products By Sea – Dangote Refinery

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has explained that talks were still ongoing on the sale of refined products to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

This was detailed in a statement on Thursday evening by Dangote’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina.

Under the subject, ‘IPMAN: Setting the Record Straight’, the statement made to clarify stories being bandied in the media space on the difficulties being experienced by IPMAN member on purchasing products from Dangote.

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Chiejina wrote, “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery wishes to clarify that it has not received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products.

“Although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN Members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them. “Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.

“The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us. In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN.

“We would like to emphasise that we can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea. We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.

“Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic.

“In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda.”

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REBUTTAL: Rivers Denies Shutting Nigeria’s Oil Production Facilities

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The Rivers State government has denied a story about her reaction to an obnoxious court ruling baring the Federal Government from releasing her monthly allocations by shutting Nigeria’s Oil production facilities within her territory.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt under the signature of Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rivers State, Warisenibo Joe Johnson.

Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop disbursing Federal Allocations to Rivers State until the issue of proper passage of the 2024 budget is resolved.

ALSO READ: Internet Fraud: EFCC Arrests Seven Suspects In Abuja

However, Johnson vehemently denied what he described as “spurious news item circulating on social media”.

Under the subject ‘Re: Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara Shuts Down NNPCL’, he maintained that “The report was not only false, but a concocted propaganda from the imagination of the author and enemies of the State.”

The statement reads, “The attention of Rivers State Government has been drawn to a spurious news item circulating on social media on “Gov. Siminalayi Fubara shutting down NNPCL and all oil companies in Rivers State”.

“The report was not only false, but a concocted propaganda from the imagination of the author and enemies of the State. The story was also circulated by an inconsequential and unverified medium.

“Governor Siminalayi Fubara is committed to the rule of law and does not rely on unconventional and crude approaches to respond to matters of governance.

“We therefore enjoin Rivers people and well-meaning Nigerians to discountenance the spurious and fake report as Governor Fubara at no time contemplated and/or directed such needless order of shutting down the economy for any reason.”

 

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Budget 2025: Adeleke Presides Over Treasury Board Sittings, Tasks MDAs On Performance

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke chaired the Treasury Board meeting for the 2025 budget, on Thursday and issued a strong admonition to Ministries and Agencies to sustain budget performance on all fronts.

Members of the Treasury Board include the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; Attoney General/HCJustice and HC Finance; the Accountant General; Chairman of State Internal Revenue Service among others.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: New Tax Reforms, Not Tweaked Against North – FG

The Governor scrutinised proposals of various Agencies submitted through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The State Governor noted that presentations by the agencies are encouraging but called for a more innovative approach to Revenue and Expenditure process and practice in line with the fiscal procedures and extent laws.

According to the State Governor, the real value of federation allocations to the state has dwindled despite the slight increase in the nominal value but to have a sustainable budget performance for the good of the citizens, political heads and accounting officers should think out of the box by emphasizing high priority projects and programmes.

“I task heads of ministries and agencies to focus on high priority projects. The resources are limited, and our needs are much. So we have to balance both ends by avoiding frivolous programmes and emphasizing areas promoting the five point agenda of this administration.

“You are to conduct full due diligence on your various sectors and programmes. Revenue generation must be driven with vigour but with a human face. Value for money is also key in state expenditure”, the State Governor charged the various ministries and agencies led by the Commissioners and Special Advisers.

Earlier in his presentation, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Moruf Ademola Adeleke assured that the report of the Treasury Board will be submitted to the State Executive Council for approval as a draft budget for presentation to the State Assembly.

He informed the Governor and other state officials that the budgetary process is on schedule to meet the timeline for final processing and approval by both the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly.

Sectors already covered by the Treasury Board meetings include Education, Solid minerals and infrastructure sectors. The board sitting continues today with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Yetunde Esan, coordinating the process

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