The Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says the Media plays a very critical role in informing the populace about public policy, social issues and issues related to seafarers.

NIWA further said this amplifies the need for a working collaboration with the Media to project and improve the activities of seafarers and better inform the populace.

Area Manager of NIWA in Port Harcourt, Bernard Ekawu, who said this on Friday, June 23, 2023 when the Energy Maritime Reporters (EMR) Corps of Nigeria led by its Chairman, Martins Giadom paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“I don’t need to remind you that you play a very critical role in the society, especially, in propagating government policies and programs.”

“We, as an authority, National Inland Waterways Authority, a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, is poised and ever ready to collaborate with you, especially, in championing those critical concerns that are very passionate to the authority, especially, as it concerns safety on our waterways.”

He noted that some ugly occurrences on the waterways are caused by ignorance which could be avoided through the support of the Media.

“Avoidable incidents like the one that we recorded a week ago would have been avoided if partners like you are ever ready to collaborate with us to further deepen our coverage and reach, because our preliminary investigation alluded to the fact that that boat that was involved in that mishap was sailing at night at about 2:30am.”

“So, this is another critical area where we will crave your indulgence to partner with us to sensitize the populace as well as discouraging them from night sailing, and the use of rickety boats.”

“From the investigation it was revealed that the boat was overloaded; a boat that was made to carry about 50 passengers was found to have carried about 250 passengers. Such avoidable incidents would have been mitigated if we had partners like you to sensitize the populace on safety protocols on our waterways.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Energy Maritime Reporters (EMR) Corps of Nigeria, Martins Giadom harped on the need for a working collaboration between NIWA and EMR, noting that the latter can actually shed light on NIWA’s activities and keep the public abreast of relevant information regarding its activities.

“As journalists, we are committed to shedding light on light on your endeavours, capturing their stories, and raising awareness about challenges they face. We have a responsibility to share their experiences, their triumphs, and their struggles with the world.”

He regretted that seafarers have not been projected to national limelight in relation to the criticality of their economic relevance, asserting that it was time to change the narrative.

The courtesy visit was part of EMR’s activities to commemorate the World Seafarers Day 2023.