Our welfare reforms repositioned NIWA, says Oyebamiji

The rapid previous Managing Director of the Nationwide Inland Waterways Authority, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, has disclosed that his focused welfare and operational reforms repositioned the company’s workforce and improved efficiency throughout his tenure.

Oyebamiji, who spoke in Osun State final week whereas receiving some maritime journalists on a courtesy go to, mirrored on his two-and-a-half-year management of the authority and the measures adopted to deal with employees welfare, motivation, and operational effectiveness.

He mentioned that on the time of his appointment, NIWA was largely perceived for security challenges quite than for service supply. The ex-NIWA boss added that his preliminary focus was to evaluate the situation of the workforce and institutional gaps earlier than implementing reforms.

Oyebamiji mentioned employees frustration posed a significant security threat on the waterways, prompting him to prioritise welfare as a basis for reform. He famous that just about 15 welfare and operational points have been addressed, together with the supply of patrol boats, improved working circumstances and motivation for discipline officers answerable for waterway security.

Oyebamiji careworn that the breakthrough at NIWA didn’t come from mass recruitment however from repositioning current staff. In response to him, as soon as employees morale improved, self-discipline and security enforcement on the waterways adopted naturally.

“I did my threat evaluation and seemed on the mitigants. I went to the minister and instructed him that if I have to do effectively, sure issues have to be performed. He gave me a free hand. The very first thing we did was to put money into boats and likewise maintain our employees. We didn’t make use of new employees. It was the identical previous employees. However we added worth to them, and so they added worth again to the company. Persons are probably the most related belongings anyplace on this planet. What we did in another way helped us document about 70 to 80 per cent success, and that translated to a few 70 per cent discount in boat mishaps. Security shouldn’t be solely gear; it is usually mindset, motivation and accountability,” Oyebamiji mentioned.

Oyebamiji, now the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, mentioned that whereas he had supposed to serve a four-year time period at NIWA, he spent roughly two and a half years in workplace, throughout which he prioritised embedding safety- and welfare-focused programs designed to endure past his tenure.

NIWA is the federal company answerable for growing, regulating, and managing Nigeria’s inland waterways—the rivers, lakes, creeks, and coastal channels used for navigation and transport.