The Minister of Marine and Blue Economic system, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Authorities’s dedication to enhancing security and safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways amidst issues over a current spike in accidents.
Talking at a stakeholders’ assembly in Abuja on Thursday, Oyetola outlined a collection of interventions geared 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 potential 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, we’ve got ensured that the Transportation Code, 2023, was gazetted.
“To provide a chew to the code, inside the final 4 months, we’ve got 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 inside the inland waterways.”
Oyetola additionally introduced the commissioning of 15 new boats, together with safety patrol and enforcement vessels, alongside three absolutely outfitted water ambulances and different belongings.
He pressured the significance of collaboration with states and personal organisations to strengthen efforts in guaranteeing accident-free waterways.
“The states of the Federation and different essential stakeholders current right here all have strategic roles to play if we’re to attain the specified results of retaining our inland waters secure for optimum financial positive factors,” he added.
Oyetola reiterated that the unlawful use of unregistered crafts, overloading, evening crusing, and failure to make use of life-saving gear equivalent to 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 licensed by the related authorities. Overloading of products and passengers is prohibited. Night time crusing past 6 pm and failure to make use of life-saving gear equivalent to life jackets are towards 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 tackle, Oyebamiji famous that NIWA had deployed operational belongings, together with security gear, and elevated personnel to enhance the security of commuters.
“Now we have introduced on board extra fingers to strengthen our presence on the inland waters. Up to now, 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 bettering infrastructure by means of the implementation of the 2024 Capital Finances.
Nonetheless, Oyebamiji pressured that collaboration with state governments was important to reaching the specified outcomes.
“Transportation on the inland waterways deserves higher consideration than highway transportation,” he stated.
Oyebamiji added that inland waterways have a higher capability for transporting passengers and items at decrease prices.
He referred to as on state commissioners of transportation to help NIWA’s efforts by contributing to coaching, setting up jetties, and offering standardised boats.