Navigational safety: NIWA lays water buoys in Niger, Kwara

By Thompson Yamput

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has laid several buoys in Niger and Kwara States to enhance navigational safety for all water users.

Mr Bola Oyebamiji, NIWA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, made this known on Tuesday in a statement signed by Mr Suleiman Makama, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NIWA.

Oyebamiji said that the authority had successfully laid 100 water buoys from Gbajibo in Niger State to Gbajibo-Mundi in Kwara State to aid boat drivers and navigators along the waterways.

The MD explained: “The river is generally deep with the least depth of 21.3 metres, therefore 60 red coloured and 40 green coloured buoys were used.

“These buoys serve as critical markers, indicating safe navigation channels, warning of hazards and designating protected areas.

“This measure is part of NIWA’s proactive steps towards safeguarding our waterways, and the lives and properties of travellers across the nation’s inland waterways.”

The NIWA boss frowned at the number of avoidable boat mishaps recorded across the waterways in the country.

He expressed the hope that with the laying of the buoys along the River Niger, navigators and transporters would make good use of them to ensure safety of travellers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that during the 2025 management retreat, Oyebamiji had emphasised safety regulations and improved operational efficiency across the nation’s inland waterways. NAN