NIWA releases boats to ferry stranded travellers in Kogi

By Friday Idachaba

Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Chief (Dr) George Moghalu has directed the immediate release of boats to ferry stranded travellers across flooded areas in Lokoja and Koton-Karfe axis.

A statement from the Authority, signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Jibril Dardau, on Thursday, directed the Area Manager of Lokoja Area Office to quickly release NIWA boats to provide the services.

The statement said that the directive was necessitated by the dire need to ease the suffering of the travelers caused by the flood.

NIWA noted that its gauge readers in Lokoja had confirmed that the 2012 flood level was 12.84 meters whereas that of this year is reading 13.22 meters.

It said that the 2022 flood level surpassed that of 2012 with 0.38 meters.

“The flood this year has overtaken some major roads in Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

“The floods, he said, has made it impassable for travelers from or through Lokoja to Abuja thereby creating serious hardship on Nigerians.

“It is in this regard, NIWA, in conjunction with the Boat Owners Association has been providing succour to the victims in compliance with the safety guidelines of wearing life jackets, avoiding overloading, overspeeding and night sailing”, the state added. (Ends)