NIWA Embarks On Enforcement Of ‘No lifejacket, no boarding Of Boats in Kogi
By Abubakar Suleman
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has Embarked on compulsory wearing of lifejacket while boarding a boat saying ‘No life jacket, no boarding across riverine communities in Lokoja local Government, to reduce casuality in the event of boat mishaps.
While moving round the waterways in the state headquarters, Lokoja, NIWA Area manager in charge of Lokoja, Engr. TItus Adoga at the Ganja water front, said “We have Decided to embark on the enforcement exercise to ensure that everyone plying or crossing through boats must put on his or her life-Jacket, saying that the authority will not allow Boarding of boats without wearing of life-Jacket.
He said the authority had earlier carry out public enlightenment and sensitization campaign through radio stations to inform the boat operators about the hazards and making it compulsory for passengers to wear life-Jackets before boarding any boat.
Engr. Adoga explained that NIWA enforcement team are now on ground physically to check the boat operators and passengers to ensure compliance and reduce accident.
“There have been so many casualties during boat accidents because of non usage of life jackets. This is very important because people come from everywhere for business, and we are working to ensure that all lives and properties are safe. We urge everyone to take this safety measure seriously and comply with the regulations to reduce casualties occasioned by boat mishaps,” he said.
The Area Manager attributed the significant reduction in water mishaps in Lokoja recently due to sustained sensitisation and enforcement of water transport regulatory measures across all water fronts, while stating that the agency will not tolerate disregard for water transport regulations, especially the use of life jackets.
He revealed that some defaulters have been arrested and taken to the Area office of NIWA in Lokoja, for further investigation and appropriate sanctions.
He noted that NIWA has partnered with the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Navy, Maritime Police, and its own NIWA Police to enforce the rules more effectively and to ensure boat operators always wear life jackets, avoid night travel, and refrain from overloading of boats.
When asked about the complaint of inadequacy life-Jackets by the boat operators, Engr. Adoga said Federal Govt through Maritime, NEMA and other agencies gave out several life-Jackets to some boat operators but, we still advise them to always get in touch with the sellers of life-Jackets to purchase more for their use.
One of the boat operators, Alhaji Adamu Suleman applauded the enforcement team, describing it as timely, adding that it will safeguard the lives and properties of rural farmers as well as enhance waterway safety, “the enforcement exercise embarked upon by NIWA management is very timely and impressive”, he said.
The Secretary of the Maritime Union, Tanko Muhammad called on the Federal Government and NIWA management to purchase more life-Jackets and supply to boat operators, adding that the jackets are inadequate for their passengers.
Another boat operator, Abdulrazaq Aminu, assured NIWA, officials of their willingness to cooperate with them, saying that the challenge has been that some of the passengers often refused to use the life jackets.
He commended the enforcement team, saying that the move was timely and calls for more more sensitization and public awareness.
