Inadequate security, staff and functional vehicles have been identified as the major constraints to the operations of the Onitsha and Warri Area Office of National Inland Waterway Agency (NIWA)
The statement added that issue of conflicts with sister agencies was another major constrains to the operations of the tour facilities..
According to a statement made available by NIWA, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Tayo Fadile, the challenges were tabled before NIWA Managing Director, Senator Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora by the managers of the facilities, during his familiarization tour of the facilities.
The statement added that issue of conflicts with sister agencies was another major constrains to the operations of the tour facilities..
At the Onitsha Area Office, the Area Manager, Mrs. Uchi Amadi, said the Area Office in a bid to boost and diversify her revenue base is reaching out to the public, private partnership to develop and industrialise her floodable plains right of way and utilization of Island along the waterways for recreation, Agriculture and Cattle ranching.
Amadi however, said their major challenges in the area office is inadequate staff, non-functional vehicles, challenges from sister agencies like Ministry of Solid Minerals Development over jurisdiction and the effort of the Authority at recovering some NIWA properties illegally occupied or annexed.
At the Onitsha River Port complex, the port manager, Mr. Baba Spencer, explained to the Managing Director that since the inception of the River Port, their mode of operations are strictly port related activities, that is, use of port facilities given as slipway, use of the port water front and occasional berthing of crafts.
The Port Manager said their major challenge is security. He explained that the collapsed of the perimeter fence by the Port slipway and the leased to M & E dredging services as dumpsites has exposed the facility to high security risk.
He further called for the reinforcement of the perimeter fence, maintenance of the port equipment, rehabilitation of the dilapidated fire services station and allocation of operational vehicle which the port does not have at the moment.
At the Warri Area Office, the Managing Director was received by the Area Manager, Engr. Tammuno Fiberesima who briefed him on the activities of the area office which include berthing services, loading and off-loading services, rents of space and warehouse amongst others.
The Area Manager said the Dockyard services, the slipway, is not operational now as it is undergoing rehabilitation.
According to Engr. Fiberesima, their major challenges are lack of functional vehicles, lack of functional boats for revenue drive and general patrol and also lack of adequate staff and training.
In his reaction to all their requests, the Managing Director said as a team leader, he is giving them his words of encouragement and expect them to put in their best to the growth and development of the Authority. He said to whom much is given, much is expected. He said that from what he has seen, they can do better.
Sen. Mamora said the Authority will look into their requests based on merit and availability of funds, to meet up their official obligations. He urged all the staff to rededicate themselves at their places of work and that NIWA will continue to support them.
