Worried by the surge in boat accidents, Akapo Adeboye, Area Manager of NIWA’s Minna Area Office, in charge of Niger and Kwara states, has issued a stern warning to boat operators to comply strictly with safety protocols while operating on the waterways or face arrest by River Marshalls.
Adeboye gave this warning during the sensitisation and inauguration of River Marshalls at the Malale Waterfronts in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
He expressed dismay over the disregard for safety precautions by water travellers, boat owners, and fishermen who refuse to wear life jackets while on the waterways, despite repeated warnings, leaving them vulnerable in the event of a boat accident.
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.
NIWA issues stern warning to boat owners on safety protocols