From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu on Tuesday approved the release of the Authority’s water crafts and infrastructures for use in the fight against Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The approval which was contained in a statement made available to Journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja said the release was in furtherance of the authority’s earlier donation of N5 million each to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Lagos State Government to fight COVID-19 respectively.
Moghalu said that the release of the water-buses, security patrol boats and other crafts for use by relevant States and Federal agencies in the fight against the pandemic was part of the authority’s corporate social responsibility.
“These crafts are useful for moving personnel and materials to and from riverine communities, as well as maintaining and guaranteeing security on our inland waterways”, he said.
The Managing Director said that the financial donations and release of the water transportation crafts would help government fight the killer virus with more vigour and determination.
Moghalu urged all waterways users to observe safety precautions, social distancing and other guidelines given by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, for all to stay safe.
He reiterated his earlier directive that all NIWA infrastructures including Ferry terminals, Dockyards, Ports, Jetties, Water Crafts, Barges and Tug boats nationwide be sanitised and put in proper conditions while personnel continue to maintain the highest level of hygiene.
Moghalu urged all Nigerians to obey government directives on COVID-19, as the only way to restore sanity and ensure safety and well-being of the citizenry.
