NIWA’s Life Jacket Donation Saves Lives, Boosts Water Safety in Niger State

The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has been commended for its life-saving corporate social responsibility initiative in Niger State. The donation of 3,700 life jackets to the state’s water transport operators has already made a tangible impact, preventing fatalities during a recent boat mishap.

Niger State Commissioner for Transport, Hajia Hadiza Idris Kuta, noted that the safety gear has been distributed across all 17 local government areas connected by waterways, ensuring that both operators and passengers are better protected.

In addition to the life jackets, the federal government’s gesture complements the state’s own safety interventions — including banning night travel, prohibiting boat overloading, providing fibre boats to replace unsafe wooden ones, and initiating the recruitment of water marshals to enforce safety protocols.

“This partnership is saving lives and transforming inland waterways safety for our communities,” the commissioner stated, applauding NIWA’s leadership for prioritizing public safety as part of its corporate social responsibility.