NIWA moves to upscale IGR to address over-dependence on revenue allocation

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu,
has said that the authority would continue to strive to upscale its Internally Generated Revenue profile to enable it operate with less dependence on government allocations.

Moghalu disclosed this at the end-of-year party to honour retiring staff and recognition of outstanding Area Offices and staff at the authority’s headquarters in Lokoja.

The Managing Director said that he is rededicating himself to the service of the organisation and urged that all hands must be on deck to reposition NIWA for improved IGR to make it operate independently.

“We will do our best to improve on where we are today and be assured that we are in this together. Let us all work for the development and growth of NIWA”, he said.

Moghalu indicated that when he assumed office as Managing Director of the Authority, he discovered that the remuneration of NIWA staff was very low and hence decided to do something about it.

He added that all necessary approvals had been structured for a new salary package for staff of the organisation commencing from next year, “By the Grace of God.”

The Managing Director also hinted that the Management had approved a training programme for all NIWA staff about to retire irrespective of Grade Level or position, for them to enjoy “better retirement life.

“In every job, there is an entrance date and departure date. Even life itself has a departure date and that is why this retirement training programme is important. It will enable them to to be busy and enjoy their retirement life.

Speaking in his opening address, Barr Danladi Ibrahim, Company Secretary and Legal Adviser who is also a former Acting MD of the organisation said God had designed space and time for everyone he created.

Ibrahim who is also retiring this month, commended Moghalu for turning things around in the organisation and prayed God to grant him more foresight, strength and grace to pilot the Authority to greater heights.

In the award categories, the plagues for the “Best Performing Area Office, 2022” and the “Most Improved Area Office, 2022” awards went to Jalingo, Taraba State and Sokoto Area offices respectively with cash award of N250,000 each

The overall “Best Staff of the Year, 2022” from all the 22 Area Offices across the country went to Mr Arinbe David Olugbenga with a N150,000 cash.

In the novelty football match played earlier in the day as part of the End-of-year activities, the Hon. Minister of Transportation trophy was won by the Marine Department of the Authority.

Handing over the trophy to the winning team, Moghalu had commended the Marine Department and charged every department to have a standing football team as “nothing brings people closely together than sports.” (Ends)