The Minister of Marine and Blue Financial system, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Authorities’s dedication to enhancing security and safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways amidst issues over a latest spike in accidents.
Talking at a stakeholders’ assembly in Abuja on Thursday, Oyetola outlined a sequence of interventions aimed toward addressing questions of safety and stopping additional mishaps.
He stated, “We genuinely sympathise with the households of the victims. As a ministry, we’re doing every little thing doable to keep away from a repeat of the unhappy accidents. With the cooperation of the states, these accidents will grow to be issues of the previous by the grace of God.
“In our bid to guard the lives and items of commuters on the nation’s waterways, now we have ensured that the Transportation Code, 2023, was gazetted.
“To provide a chew to the code, throughout the final 4 months, now we have launched and elevated the variety of our water marshals from 80 to 350 personnel to handle main flashpoints throughout the nation.
“These officers have been directed to start 24-hour surveillance throughout main jetties and loading factors throughout the inland waterways.”
Oyetola additionally introduced the commissioning of 15 new boats, together with safety patrol and enforcement vessels, alongside three totally geared up water ambulances and different belongings.
He harassed the significance of collaboration with states and personal organisations to strengthen efforts in making certain accident-free waterways.
“The states of the Federation and different vital stakeholders current right here all have strategic roles to play if we’re to attain the specified results of maintaining our inland waters secure for optimum financial positive aspects,” he added.
Oyetola reiterated that the unlawful use of unregistered crafts, overloading, evening crusing, and failure to make use of life-saving tools resembling life jackets would not be tolerated.
He famous, “It’s unlawful to make use of unregistered crafts on our waters. Each boat operator have to be registered and authorized by the related authorities. Overloading of products and passengers is prohibited. Evening crusing past 6 pm and failure to make use of life-saving gear resembling life jackets are in opposition to the regulation.”
The Managing Director and CEO of the Nationwide Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, praised Oyetola’s management and highlighted NIWA’s ongoing initiatives to make sure safer waterways.
In his deal with, Oyebamiji famous that NIWA had deployed operational belongings, together with security tools, and elevated personnel to enhance the security of commuters.
“We now have introduced on board extra fingers to strengthen our presence on the inland waters. To date, 350 Water Marshals have been positioned to sensitise boat operators and passengers throughout totally different loading platforms,” Oyebamiji stated.
He additionally emphasised the significance of eradicating impediments to navigation, realigning buoys, and enhancing infrastructure by way of the implementation of the 2024 Capital Funds.
Nevertheless, Oyebamiji harassed that collaboration with state governments was important to attaining the specified outcomes.
“Transportation on the inland waterways deserves higher consideration than street transportation,” he stated.
Oyebamiji added that inland waterways have a higher capability for transporting passengers and items at decrease prices.
He known as on state commissioners of transportation to assist NIWA’s efforts by contributing to coaching, developing jetties, and offering standardised boats.
