NIWA Warns Boat Operators in Kwara and Niger to Comply with Safety Protocols or Face Arrest
As reported by Daily Post, Akapo Adeboye, Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Minna Area Office, overseeing Niger and Kwara states, has issued a strict warning to boat operators to adhere to safety protocols or face arrest by River Marshalls.
Adeboye delivered this warning during the sensitization and inauguration of River Marshalls at the Malale Waterfront in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State. He expressed concern over the continued disregard for safety measures by water travellers, boat owners, and fishermen who fail to wear life jackets despite repeated warnings, leaving them vulnerable to accidents on the waterways.
He explained that in a bid to enforce the regulations, the authority inaugurated a 12-man river marshall, adding that the same will be done at the Patigi waterfronts in Kwara State to ensure boat owners operate by the codes, which include the use of life jackets, avoiding overloading and travelling after 6 pm, among others.
“We are inaugurating the River Marshalls at waterfronts at Malale, in Niger and Patigi, in Kwara State, to ensure good waterways usage by our people. Water users and boat owners, including fishermen, must follow the federal government rule.
“Henceforth, overloading and night sailing after 6 pm is prohibited, but from 6 am to 6 pm daily, as well, non-usage of life jackets will no longer be allowed. Our River Marshalls, alongside NIWA staff, will arrest erring boat operators, ” he warned.
He also called on communities along water banks to move to higher grounds ahead of predicted flooding to ensure safety and prevent losses.
Speaking, the Borgu Local Government chairman, Alh Suleiman Kilishi Yerima, who spoke through Vice Chairman Alh. Abdullahi Sarkin Maisamari thanked NIWA for sensitising users on waterways regulations. He, however, lamented the number of lives lost through boat mishaps at the waterfronts.
“This sensitisation is very apt because this is the peak period based on prediction to avert boat mishaps on our waterways. We will also keep talking to our people about the need to keep to safety standards,” Maisamari observed.
Similarly, the Niger State Commissioner for Transport, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, who spoke through Deputy Director Maritime Service, Alh. Abdullahi Musa stated that before now the ministry held a series of meetings with boat owners on the need for them to follow codes of operation on the waterways.
Musa further disclosed plans by the ministry to hold a meeting with relevant authorities to form a joint maritime team to supervise activities on the waterways to avert loss of lives while commending NIWA for inaugurating the water marshalls to ensure safety.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Bello Taoheed Abubakar Bayo Ojo Usman Alkali Baba Aliyu Kora Sabi Yusuf Lawal Ilorin Talaka Parapo (ITP) Valsolar Consortium Democracy Day Haleeman Salman Quareeb Islamic Association Kwara State Printing And Publishing Corporation 2017 Budget Umar Sanda Yusuf Rotimi Samuel Olujide Elerinjare-Ibobo Mohammed Yahaya Barki IYA ALFA NLA Ejidongari Taofik Abdulkareem Babaita Okin Malt Nigeria Customs Service Buhari Olabanji Orilonishe Idofin Ibrahim Bio Omoniyi Ayinla Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola UNILORIN Alumni Kishira Oniwasi Agbaye Simon Sayomi Eghe Igbinehi Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola Ojuekun Sarumi Balogun Gambari Okanlawon Musa Awwal Jawondo KWASSIP Saeedat Aliyu George Funsho Adebayo Kwara North Share-Tsaragi Government House Joseph Yemi Ajayi Hikmah AbdulKareem Lucky Omoluwa AGM Professional Services Aishat Mohammed Lawal Michael Ologundea Alikinla Kwarareports Ibrahim Agboola Gambari Babatunde Idiagbon Abdulkareem Alabi Waheed Ibrahim Oniye Shuaib Boni Aliyu Afolabi-Oshatimehin Adenike Harriet Rafiu Ajakaye Fatai Garuba Labaka 2023 Elections Olumide Daniel Ibitoye Halidu Danbaba Kwara United Abdulfatah Ahmed Taofeek Ibraheem Sulaiman Gado Yahaya Oloriegbe Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship Women For Change And Development Initiative Sobi FM Saheed Popoola Chief Imam Of Lafiagi Samuel Adaramola General Hospital Lanre Issa-Onilu ANCOPPS

