We created water marshals to implement security – Ex NIWA MD

Bola Oyebamiji, the previous Managing Director of the Nationwide Inland Waterways Authority, is contesting the 2026 Osun State governorship election beneath the All Progressives Congress. On this interview with ANOZIE EGOLE, he discusses his achievements at NIWA and shares his imaginative and prescient for Osun State if elected

Reflecting in your time as Managing Director of NIWA, which initiatives or reforms stand out as your best achievements, and the way did they affect Nigeria’s inland waterways?

Throughout my time as Managing Director/CEO of NIWA, I initiated a number of audacious tasks that added substantial worth to our operations. My first focus was on the necessity for an enforceable regulation for inland waters. We found {that a} regulation had been in growth for a few years with out a lot progress. We labored diligently to fine-tune it, resulting in its gazettement and unveiling by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economic system, Adegboyega Oyetola.

With the Transportation Code in place, we additionally established an enforcement arm: the Water Marshals. We realised that with out them, the Transportation Code would stay a mere regulation on paper. The marshals had been chosen from numerous riverine communities as a consequence of their information of native waterways. We started with 80 marshals and elevated their quantity to 350 by the point I left, enabling protection of quite a few loading and offloading factors, common checks, and security briefings earlier than departures.

We additionally elevated security campaigns to an unprecedented stage. Along with common media campaigns on radio, tv, and newspapers, we initiated onsite security campaigns throughout 21 operational bases nationwide. Stakeholders had been convened at the least twice yearly close to loading and offloading factors to sensitise them on security and the Transportation Code.

One other innovation was the institution of Neighborhood Stakeholders committees, comprising native chiefs, neighborhood leaders, and opinion moulders. These committees acted as first responders in emergencies and as security advocates, lowering response occasions to beneath half-hour nationwide. Moreover, a taskforce of NIWA employees and neighborhood leaders in chosen riverine areas was tasked with implementing security, significantly throughout excessive tidal durations, considerably lowering boat accidents.

We additionally prioritised employees welfare, guaranteeing well timed fee of salaries and allowances, instructional grants for kids, medical allowances for retirees, and native and worldwide coaching alternatives. Deserving officers had been promoted at once.

What insights or experiences from main a federal company do you suppose have finest geared up you to control Osun State?

Nigeria is a various nation, and my prior public sector expertise ready me nicely for NIWA. Main an organisation with a large attain and mandate broadened my experience in human administration. The maritime sector, together with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economic system and its businesses, requires every day interplay with sister businesses, different ministries, the legislature, and the judiciary. The expertise was transformative and has ready me to control successfully.

What are the core rules that information your management, and the way do you propose to use them in governing the state?

I used to be formed in a target-oriented business: banking, which rewards efficiency and sanctions inefficiency. This philosophy has guided my skilled and private life for many years. I’m dedicated to a good reward system, serving to everybody attain their potential with out bias. My administration can be firmly rooted in equity and fairness. Will probably be a brand new daybreak for our individuals.

Given Osun’s vibrant cultural heritage but underdeveloped industrial sector, which particular industries will you concentrate on to stimulate the state’s economic system and obtain larger fiscal independence?

Osun is traditionally the cradle of the Yoruba individuals and residential to UNESCO World Heritage websites such because the Osun-Osogbo sacred grove. Each city has distinctive cultural occasions that may be leveraged economically. We intention to revive Osun to a distinguished place culturally and economically.

Agriculture and its worth chains will obtain most consideration. Osun has fertile land and a youthful inhabitants, and the market is rising. We’ll create the following technology of millionaires from agriculture. Public-private partnerships, significantly in agro-allied and ICT sectors, can be prioritised. MSMEs, particularly girls and youth-led companies, can be supported with financing, coaching, and empowerment.

Given Osun State’s current public debt burden, what particular monetary measures will you implement inside your first 12 months in workplace to realize fiscal stability whereas defending important public companies?

Debt shouldn’t be inherently dangerous whether it is focused and wealth-generating. Because the finish of the gas subsidy, states have extra funds for programmes. We’ll put money into income-generating tasks and prioritise spending. Income assortment effectivity can be enhanced, closing gaps the place funds are misdirected. These measures will restore monetary stability in Osun.

What’s your technique for producing lasting employment alternatives for younger individuals, shifting past short-term empowerment initiatives?

We’ll strengthen authorities service supply by recruitment and coaching, guaranteeing succesful fingers are in place. Youth empowerment programmes will ease the transition to self-sustainability. Funding in agro-allied, ICT, MSMEs, and technical training will generate hundreds of jobs, significantly in building, tourism, and hospitality.

In mild of the pervasive safety challenges throughout the nation, what particular and novel methods will you introduce to bolster native safety and make sure the security of residents in Osun State?

Safety ought to be localised. We’ll strengthen the involvement of conventional rulers and neighborhood growth associations, whereas bettering help for standard safety outfits with {hardware} and logistics. Peace requires justice and equity, which is able to underpin our authorities.

How do you intend to leverage Osun’s agricultural potential by implementing insurance policies that improve rural infrastructure, increase market entry for farmers, and promote the adoption of recent farming strategies?

Rural roads and electrification can be prioritised to cut back post-harvest losses and entice buyers. We’ll strengthen cooperatives, present low-interest credit score amenities, and help farm settlements to revive agricultural productiveness. Coaching in trendy strategies, high-yield crops, and pest management can be emphasised.

How will your particular experience in waterways infrastructure be utilized to enhance Osun State’s inside transport programs, keep public infrastructure, and handle environmental assets?

Waste administration and inside transportation require pressing consideration. We’ll revitalise environment friendly waste disposal programs, help non-public operators, increase credit score and empowerment for transit operators, and reintroduce mass transit utilizing CNG initiatives. Highway upkeep can be proactive, guided by a complete financing mannequin.

What particular, enduring reforms will you introduce to create a steady and high-quality training system in Osun State?

Training can be a prime precedence. Free and obligatory primary training will proceed, technical training can be revitalised, and sacked lecturers reinstated. Coaching and retraining of lecturers, immediate rewards for efficiency, and trendy know-how integration will enhance instructing and studying. Two faculties per political ward can be modernised inside 4 years, alongside a free terminal examination coverage beginning 2027.

How will you guarantee your administration stays unbiased from political pressures and persistently prioritizes the wants of Osun’s residents above all else?

Equity, transparency, objectivity, and godliness are key. Prioritising scarce assets equitably will information decision-making. We can be honest to all residents throughout the state.

What particular, clear programs will you identify to ensure governmental accountability, foster citizen involvement, and make sure the efficient monitoring of public tasks?

City corridor conferences will foster citizen interplay with authorities officers, and authorities books can be open for public scrutiny. Our administration can be inclusive and participatory.