The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) said on Tuesday, it has released water buses and patrol boats for use by relevant states and federal agencies in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Dr George Moghalu- led NIWA had last week donated N10 million to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Lagos State government in fight against the deadly Coronavirus disease.
Moghalu had directed that all infrastructures, including ferry terminals, dockyards, river ports, jetties, water crafts, barges and tug boats nationwide be sanitized and the highest level of hygiene maintained.
NIWA in a statement in Lokoja, Kogi State, reads: “Further to our earlier financial contributions, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Chief Dr George Moghalu has authorised the release of the authority’s water-buses, security patrol boats and other craft for use by relevant states’ and federal agencies in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These craft are useful for moving personnel and materials to and from the riverine communities, as well as maintaining security on our inland waterways.”
He urged users of the waterways to observe safety precautions, social distancing and other guidelines, as given by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, “in order to stay safe in these trying times.”