OPDS, NIWA Forge Stronger Alliance for Safer Niger Delta Waterways
By Chidi Omeje
The Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have pledged closer collaboration to secure waterways and promote safe and efficient water transportation across the Niger Delta region.
This commitment was reaffirmed on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, when the NIWA Area Manager, Mr. Baba Adamu Spencer, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the OPDS Headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
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Welcoming the team, Commander OPDS, Rear Admiral NM Madugu, assured NIWA of the Task Force’s readiness to work in synergy to curb criminal activities on the waterways and ensure safer navigation for economic and social activities. He emphasized that safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain requires collective action, particularly through joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and capacity building.
Rear Admiral Madugu noted that such cooperation is central to OPDS’s mandate of protecting critical national assets and boosting economic activities in the Niger Delta. “Partnerships like this are vital for sustaining maritime security and ensuring that legitimate activities on our waterways thrive,” he said.
In his remarks, NIWA Area Manager Mr. Spencer commended OPDS for its sustained efforts in combating oil theft, piracy, and other illegalities in the region. He expressed NIWA’s determination to strengthen its partnership with the Task Force, describing it as key to achieving safe and sustainable inland waterway operations.
The renewed partnership between OPDS and NIWA is expected to enhance maritime safety, deter criminal activities, and contribute to regional economic growth by providing a secure environment for water transportation.