The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in collaboration with the Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial district, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has commissioned two 32-seater passenger boats for use in the area.
It has also laid the foundation for a modern passengers’ lounge at Yauri Area office of the agency in Kebbi State.
At the commissioning event, NIWA Managing Director, Chief Dr. George Moghalu, thanked the Yauri Emirate for its endless cooperation to the NIWA Area office in Yauri.
He described the two- passenger boats as a promise fulfilled as they form an addition to the first one which, he said, was commissioned last year.
“I remember I made a promise to His Royal Highness (the Emir of Yauri) that I will come back to Yauri, and that promise, I have fulfilled today, I assured him that I will justify the confidence reposed in me, and also that I will do all I can to make sure that the Yauri Emirate route that leads even outside this country becomes commercially viable.
He therefore commended the Senator representing Kebbi South, Sen. Bala ibn Na Allah for his efforts and commitment to his people and his desire to see that the route between Yauri and outside the country such as Burkina Faso, Mali and even leading to the hinterland in Nigeria are made navigable. So I commend you for your efforts and I appreciate what you do for your people and your determination to do more.”
In his remarks at the occasion, Sen Bala ibn Na Allah said the importance of the modern passenger lounge as well as the newly launched ferry boats are enormous.
The Senator said: “It will open Yauri to international markets through the use of inland waterways and it would also help to ensure quick response in terms of an emergency rather than relying on a canoe.”
Earlier, during the courtesy visit to the Emir at his palace, His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi expressed his heartfelt appreciation on behalf of himself and the entire emirate to the leadership of NIWA and his management team for a mission-accomplished project in his emirate.
He further extended his appreciation to Senator Bala ibn Na Allah for his efforts in making this dream a reality.
