Lokoja
As Nigeria intensifies the fight against COVID-19, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA),Dr George Moghalu has approved the release of the Authority’s water craft and infrastructure to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement on Tuesday in Lokoja, the managing director 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.
He said that the approval for release of the water-buses, security patrol boats and other craft for use by relevant states and Federal agencies, in the fight against the pandemic, was also 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.
Moghalu said that the financial donations and release of the water transportation crafts would help government fight the killer virus with more vigour and determination.
He rged 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 that all NIWA infrastructure, including Ferry terminals, Dockyards, Ports, Jetties, Water Crafts, Barges and Tug boats nationwide would be sanitised to the highest level of hygiene.
Moghalu also urged Nigerians to obey government directives on COVID-19, stressing that it was one of the effective waysto restore sanity, safety and the well-being of the citizenry.
