By Jeremiah Kaltungo, Abuja
The Benue State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen safety on its inland waterways by seeking a strategic partnership with the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Below are some of the images during the visit.
A statement signed by Lubem Gena, the Head of Media, Publicity and Orientation in the office of the Honourable Commissioner said the partnership is also aimed at particularly preventing boat accidents and unlocking the vast economic potential of the state’s blue Economy.
Leading a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr., on Monday in Abuja, the Honourable Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Denis Ter Iyaghigba, expressed profound appreciation for the bureau’s swift intervention following the tragic boat mishap at the Wadata crossing point in Makurdi on June 13, 2026.
The Commissioner said the Director General’s prompt visit to Benue in the aftermath of the disaster demonstrated compassion, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to protecting human lives.
Conveying the goodwill of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Hon. Iyaghigba reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a modern, safe and economically vibrant inland water transportation system as a catalyst for sustainable development.
He noted that while the Wadata tragedy caused immense grief, it had also strengthened the state’s resolve to institutionalise a culture of safety across its waterways.
According to him, the establishment of the Benue State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy reflects Governor Alia’s vision of harnessing the immense opportunities of River Benue through responsible, sustainable and safety-driven development.
The Commissioner called for deeper collaboration between the NSIB and the Ministry in critical areas, including comprehensive waterway safety assessments, accident prevention, operational safety frameworks, capacity building for boat operators, emergency preparedness, technical advisory services, public safety education, research, policy development and the deployment of modern safety monitoring systems.
He also renewed the state’s request for the establishment of an operational NSIB office in Benue, describing River Benue as a strategic national asset whose significance to inland navigation, commerce and regional integration makes enhanced federal presence imperative.
Hon. Iyaghigba assured the Bureau of the Benue Government’s readiness to implement recommendations arising from its investigations, stressing that sustainable progress is only possible through effective collaboration between federal and state institutions.
In his response, the DG who was accompanied by his Special Assistant, Captain. Martins Avaan, stated that, Benue will be properly integrated into the scheme of affairs of the bureau.
He promised to enroll members of the ministry into the training opportunities that may present themselves from time to time just as he enjoined the ministry to put up certain mechanisms in place in order to actualise an enhanced water transportation safety.
The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the covering Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Charles Terfa Ikyaave; his Technical Adviser, Dr. Harris Dera and the Head of Media, Publicity and Orientation in his office, Mr. Lubem Gena.
The visit underscores Benue State’s determination to place safety at the heart of inland water transportation and position the state as a leading hub for sustainable blue economy development in Nigeria.
