Boat Mishaps: NIWA bans unlicensed boat operations to improve safety

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced a nationwide clampdown connected unlicensed vessel operations and unauthorised loading points, pursuing a drawstring of fatal accidents connected Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Addressing journalists successful Abuja connected Tuesday, NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, said the measures were designed to curb recurring mishaps and fortify information compliance.

“NIWA has placed an contiguous prohibition connected loading activities from each unauthorised loading points crossed the country. No commercialized rider vessel shall beryllium allowed to load from immoderate constituent different than those recognised and registered by NIWA,” Oyebamiji declared.

He further ordered that “all unlicensed boats and watercraft beryllium removed from the waterways,” stressing that operators without due certification would nary longer beryllium allowed to ply Nigerian waters.

According to him, vessel owners indispensable besides enforce the mandatory usage of lifejackets, portion each vessels indispensable intelligibly show their names and load lines.

“It is mandatory for each commercialized vessel operators to supply and enforce the usage of lifejackets connected the boats always. Every commercialized rider vessel indispensable decently show its Boat Name Letters and Load line,” helium added.

The directive comes successful the aftermath of respective deadly vessel accidents successful caller months.

In April, a vessel carrying traders capsized connected the Niger River successful Lapai LGA, Niger State, aft a abrupt storm.

In July, different mishap connected the Shiroro River claimed 15 lives, portion 2 fatal mishaps were recorded successful Sokoto successful August.

Most recently, 27 radical drowned successful September erstwhile a vessel carrying mourners capsized connected the Kainji Reservoir successful Borgu LGA, Niger State.

Vanguard News

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