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.
Government House Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu Oke-Ode Ayotunde Emmanuel Alao Adesina Simon Sodiya Kunle Okeowo Ronke Adeyemi Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq Issa Manzuma Tayo Awodiji Moro Muhammed Mahe Abdulkadir Oko Pakata Patriots Oro Grammar School NYSC Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji Sidikat Akaje National Party Of Nigeria Nnazua Aishat Mohammed Lawal Adisa Logun SARS NIPOGA Oba Abdulraheem Yoonus Lawal Onilorin Of Ilorin Hamid Bobboyi Olabode Towoju Lawal Jimoh Saraki Al-Hikmah Radio Yusuf Badmus IHS Towers Timothy Olatunde Fadipe Micheal Imodu-Ganmo Road Hussein Olokooba Atunwa Ajibola Saliu Ajia David Oyedepo Mohammed Ghali Alaaya Toyin Sanusi JSSCE Aremu Bose Deborah Umar Bayo Abdulwahab Olatunji Ayeni Azeez Salawu Femi Agbaje Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye Ilorin Amusement Park Yusuf Mubarak Olaiya Victor Mobolaji Monsurat Omotosho Kudirat Arinola Lawal Sabo-Oke Kamaldeen Ajibade Ilesha Gwanara Road Hamidu Olowo M.Y. Abdulrahaman Kwara Central Owode Market Abdulrazaq Adebayo Rabiu Kwankwaso Muslim Media Watch Group Of Nigeria Ajibola Ademola Julius Amusement Park Kawu Baraje Sulyman Tejidini Ijagbo Health Centre Tunji Oyawoye Nigeria Governors\' Forum Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu Folaranmi Aro Kwara United Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia John Obuh

