The Management of National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA has approved and discharged an ambulance boat to enhance safe operations on waterways in Ogun State.
The delivery of the ambulance boat took place at Iwopin in the Waterside area of the State during the week with boat operators in attendance.
According to Engr. Adeleye Ipinmoroti, the Area Manager of NIWA for Ogun and Oyo States, the patrol boat for the jurisdiction would also be delivered shortly.
Ipinmoroti assured that the two allotted boats will not only facilitate monitoring of the State waterways by the Authority, it would also allow for prompt response in case of boat incidents or any emergency on Ogun State waterways.
He said the patrol boat will be stationed at Ode-Omi when it arrives, assuring that adequate care and security would be provided for the two boats.
In an interview, the National President of the Association Of Tourist Boat And Water Transporters Of Nigeria, ATBOWATON, Chief Ganiu Tarzan Balogun lauded NIWA for the gesture, describing it as a stitch in time.
Tarzan noted that safety on water is salient to the agency and so was taking this precaution, adding that this kind of thoughtful initiative was why his organization, ATBOWATON will always cooperate with NIWA as it is determined to take water transportation to the next level.
In his own comment, Olalekan Kazeem Arogundade, the General Secretary of ATBOWATON in Ogun State said the agitation of its members for Ambulance Boat on Ogun State waterways to immediately attend to victims in case of any mishap or incident requiring medical attention on water has now been met.
Arogundade expressed gratitude to the Managing Director of NIWA , the agency’s Area Manager, Engr. Ipinmoroti.
He also lauded the National President of ATBOWATON, Dr Ganiu Tarzan Balogun for his unceasing attendance to calls from NIWA offices and all the Executives and members of ATBOWATON Ogun State Chapter, noting that the boat was a milestone achievement as it would ensure safer waterways in the state.
