In an effort the stem the rising rate of accidents on Nigerian water ways, the Federal Government through the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA has mooted moves to ban the use of wooden boats as means of transportation on Nigerian waters.
This was contained in a statement by the Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, in Lagos.
Speaking during an interactive session with news editors, the MD stated that the authority is focused largely on the safety of the waterways and the expansion of water travel. He, however, explained that wooden boats constituted over 90 per cent of boats on the waterways. And that they accounted for the majority of accidents on the waterways nationwide.
Oyebamiji said the high rate was largely because they had no regard for operational rules. “Which included not traveling at night, overloading and failure to use life jackets by both operators and passengers,” he said.
The MD pointed out that traveling at night on the waterways is a criminal offence.
He said, “Most of them have no light at all. Overloading is also an issue. And the boats are piloted by people of the lowest education in Nigeria.”
Towards solving the incessant boat mishap on the waterways, Oyebamiji said NIWA had consciously increased the number of its marshals at jetties. From 80 to 350, to cover the entire country.
“At least two marshals are at jetties per time daily, observing morning and night shifts,” he said.
Oyebamiji also revealed that NIWA has embarked on a rigorous campaign both at the jetties and via the media.
He mentioned that the campaign was being done in both English and the local languages of the communities covered.
According to him, the campaign focused on enlightening the boat operators and passengers on the ills of night travel, overloading, and not using life jackets, among others.
He, however, stated that the long-term goal is to phase out wooden boats from operation.
“The agency is liaising with the Presidency and Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to replace wooden boats nationwide.
“More patrol boats would be deployed by the agency to monitor operators in line with the NIWA Code.
He added that the Nigerian Navy was also assisting in this regard.
According to him, a lot of people bring God into this matter of safety on waterways when we are the problems ourselves. “Our characters and our behaviors are the great determinants here,” Oyebamiji stated.
The MD vowed that the agency would continue to push by applying education, enlightenment, and sanction, where need be. Until there are zero fatalities on our waterways.
“There is so much we would have had to do in this regard while we hope that all stakeholders will start playing by the rules,” he concluded.
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
