The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, has said that the Commission will continue to make safety on the Nation’s waterways a priority.
The Managing Director noted that it is working out several measures towards ensuring that operators on the nation’s waterways adhere to safety regulations.
The MD N-HYPPADEC who was represented by the Director Administration and Finance of N-HYPPADEC, Mr. Jimoh Haruna Gabi, disclosed this at the 6th edition of Lokoja Boat Regatta Festival held in Lokoja.
The Managing Director stated further that the agency is collaborating with other enforcement agencies towards ensuring that boat operators work within the act establishing the commission by ensuring enforcement.
The Managing Director called on boat operators across the country to be guided by operating within rules of engagement, pointing out that, enforcement will now be made stricter towards protecting the lives of users of the nation’s waterways.
The N-HYPPADEC MD disclosed further that towards making the waters safe, it has provided several boats, life jackets, carried out series of training for commercial and boat operators, lamented the recent boat mishap that occurred in Ibaji Local Government Area, that claimed some lives.
While pointing out that N-HYPPADEC is collaborating with other security agencies, tasked users of the nations waterways particularly boat operators to maintain safety protocols.
The MD promised that it will continue to work and show interest in activities carried out by riverine communities, reason why it is attending the 6th edition of Lokoja Boat Regatta Festival, described the Nation waterways as providing the most safest means of transport.
He noted that N-HYPPADEC has embarked ob several intervention in riverine communities with the supply of life jackets, modern fibre speed boats, motorcycles and other facilities towards making the waterways safe, added that it intends to increase the number of flying boats to riverine communities in the coming days with the view to making waterways transport cheaper and affordable.
He disclosed further that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring safety on the nation’s waterways, congratulated Lokoja Forum of Patriots in conjunction with Lokoja Traditional Council.
In his welcome remarks, Barr. Naseer Ahmed, the Dandarma of Lokoja, who doubled as the Chairman of the occasion, described the Lokoja annual Boat Regatta as an annual event used to showcase the cultural heritage of Lokoja people and it’s environs.
The Chairman called on other well meaning Kogi indigenes both within and in the diaspora, corporate institution and organizations to partner with the organizers of the Lokoja Boat Regatta to showcase their products and to give it a national outlook.
In his welcome address, Alhaji Idris Baba’ango, Chairman Lokoja Forum of Patriots, said the goals of the boat regatta is to reawaken and promote the culture heritage of Lokoja riverine communities.
He added that the regatta is to enhance local economic development through tourism and entrepreneurship as well as to foster unity and social interaction among diverse ethnic groups in Lokoja local Government area.
The highlights of the 6th edition of the Lokoja Boat Regatta include cultural display, swimming, paddling and Regatta and presentation of gifts to winners of various categories of competition organized to mark the Regatta .