The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, for adopting measures to ensure safety on Nigeria’s waterways.
The National Secretary General (SG) of NAPS, Comrade Agada Noah gave the commendation during a press conference in Lokoja, Kogi State.
His words: “We use this medium to commend the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E., Adegboyega Oyetola and the Managing Director/CEO for gracious adoption and implementation of the Nigeria’s Water Transportation code into reality. A working document that has for several years been in the pipeline.
“Also, we acknowledge the fortification of the waterways surveillance for the enforcement of safety rules and regulations, emergency response to security threat and safe waterways patrol. While pushing for a safer waterways, NIWA had trained over 300 boat operators, distributed thousands of life jackets, recruited over 500 water marshals, translation of safety campaign materials into over 40 languages along the riverine, prompt removal of logs after as and at when due, community engagements among many others.”
Noah stated that it is imperative to tackle the root causes of the preventable accidents, explaining that stakeholders must enforce stricter regulations on boat operators, ensure regular maintenance of vessels, and impose penalties for non-compliance with safety standards.
He highlighted the demands of the association as follows; “That the FG should expedite the means of facing out wooden boats and replacing them with modern fiber boats. That the FG through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should pay more attention to NIWA by increasing budgetary allocations and increase manpower to meet up with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“That the full enforcement of the Nigeria’s Water Transportation code be put into reality to check waterways accidents. That National Assembly members who come from the riverine areas focus on collaborating with the water transporters and provide modern facilities, campaigns and sensitization to reduce accidents.”
He reiterated the commitment of the association to advocating for the safety and well-being of Nigerians, and enjoined relevant authorities to ensure that proactive measures are taken to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies.
“The loss of even a single life is too many. Let this mishap be a turning point in our collective resolve to ensure that no Nigerian has to die needlessly due to preventable factors,” the SG added.
Earlier during their visit to the headquarters, the Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji expressed gratitude for their visitation for such engagement.
Mr. Oyebamiji disclosed that 99% of boat mishap are caused by human error, attitude of boat operators and passengers not adhering to safety protocols.
He also highlighted some of the achievements of the authority in recent, including nationwide sensitisation campaign, donation of free life jackets, deployment of more water marshalls, creation of seven search and rescue units, in the process of procuring fiber boats and collaboration with state governments to curb the incessant boat mishap in the country.
