World Safety Day: NIWA prioritises safety of staff at work – Girei

The Acting Managing Director/CEO of National inland waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has disclosed that the authority prioritizes staff safety towards improving their working environment.

The Acting Managing Director added that the management also prioritized the provision of new offices and rehabilitation of old ones at the headquarters and selected area offices.

Umar Yusuf Girei stated this in a paper he delivered at event put together by the organisation to mark the World Safety Day on the 28 April 2026 at the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, kogi state.

His paper was titled “Good psycho- social working environment: A pathway to thriving workers workers and strong organization.”

According to Girei, “We have provided a well equipped staff clinic and ensured access to potable water and proper sanitation at the headquarters, Lokoja and some selected Area offices.”

He said through partnership with relevant agencies such as the Federal Medical Center Lokoja, periodic mental health talks were being organised to the benefit of the staff.

He said “We have also implemented flexible work arrangements for nursing mothers in line with the existing circular from the office of the Head of service.”

According to the Acting MD, all categories of staff had attended trainings in emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and work place stress management in Turkey and Rwanda.

The event was attended by other key governments organisations, including the Representatives of the Nigerian Navy (NNS) Lugard, Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission ( HYPPADEC), Kogi State Ministry of Transportation, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Standards ( NESREA) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps).