The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced the deployment of 350 marshals for better surveillance of the nation’s inland waterways. The 350 marshals is an increase of 270 boats that existed before. NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji stated this in a speech at a media parley in Lagos.
According to Mr Oyebamiji, the move is aimed at tackling safety and insecurity issues on Nigeria’s inland waterways and recently, those officers were directed to commence 24-hour surveillance within selected locations to prevent night travel and overloading
Mr Oyebamiji stressed that human error is the leading cause of accidents on Nigeria’s waterways, citing poor attitudes and disregard for safety protocols as major contributors.
He also noted that Within one year, NIWA, through the supervisory effort of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr Gboyega Oyetolahas a new Water Transportation Code, 2023.
“ Within the same period, we have deployed several operational assets including 15 boats of varying capacities and uses to promote efficiency and service delivery. Similarly, we have provided greater incentives to our workers through the official commissioning of several capital projects to promote a better working environment. Not only this, we have continued to treat the welfare of our workers as a priority always”.
The MD also mentioned the critical stakeholders meeting which was held yesterday in Abuja for several hours to evaluate the current challenges on inland waterways transportation and to find possible solutions.
“ The meeting which had in attendance the Honourable Commissioners of Transportation from more than 24 states, among other groups, highlighted several important measures that must be taken to arrest the twin issues of safety and insecurity on the inland waterways”
Stressing the need for awareness and campaign on safer waterways he asked the media to increase the level of awareness and sensitization as they her seen as opinion shapers
“ We urge you, as opinion shapers, to partner with NIWA, in its mission to promote safer waterways through media advocacy. This is important to us because, of all these are causes of accidents on our waterways, human error takes the lead. A further evaluation reveals that poor attitude and blatant disregard for safety protocol account for the greatest cause of boat mishaps. We therefore call on you to join us in educating our people on the need to be safety conscious always “
