The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has launched a 12-member River Marshal Team to enforce strict adherence to federal government’s water transportation codes by water users and boat operators so as to forestall incessant boat mishaps on waterways across the country.
While making this disclosure at a sensitization, inauguration and unveiling of transportation code of stakeholders at the Malale Water fronts in Borgu local government of Niger state, the Area Manager, Minna Area Office, in charge of Niger and Kwara states, Akapo Adeboye warned communities along water banks to move to higher grounds ahead of predicted flooding, to ensure safety and prevent losses.
He also expressed dismay over the disregard for safety precautions by water travellers, boat owners, and fishermen, who refuse to put on life jackets while on the waterways, despite repeated warnings thereby leaving them vulnerable in the event of a boat accident.
Accordingly, he said “we are inaugurating the River Marshalls to ensure good waterways usage by our people. Water users, boat owners including fishermen must follow the federal government.
“Henceforth, overloading and night sailing after 6pm is prohibited, but from 6am – 6pm daily. Our river Marshalls alongside NIWA staff will arrest erring boat operators.”
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Borgu local government area, Suleiman Kilishi Yerima who was represented by his Vice, Abdullahi Sarkin Maisamari commended the Authority for organizing the sensitization for waterways users but lamented the rate at which persons have died through boat mishaps at the waterfronts.
“This sensitization is very apt because this is the pick period based on prediction to avert boat mishaps on our waterways. We will also keep talking to our people on the need to keep to safety standards,” he noted.
Similarly, the state Commissioner for Transport, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta represented by the Deputy Director Maritime Service, Abdullahi Musa, said before now the Ministry held series of meetings with boat owners on the need for them to follow codes of operation on the waterways.
The Commissioner also revealed plans by the Ministry to hold a meeting with relevant authorities to form a joint maritime team for the supervision of activities on the waterways to avert loss of lives while commending NIWA for inaugurating the water marshals and sensitizing users on safety.