Ojema Calls for Collaboration of Stakeholders to End Incessant Boat Mishaps
By Ojila Yahaya Monday
The Member Representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman, House of Reps Committee on National Inland Waterways, Chief. Hon. Pst Ojotu Ojema FESMI, has called on relevant Stakeholders in the Maritime Industry to synergize in order to end frequent boat accidents along Nigerian Inland Waterways.
He made this call on Thursday, 24th October 2024 during the “Stakeholders Meeting on Safety and Insecurities on Inland Waterways” at Wells Carton Hotel and Apartments, Asokoro, Abuja.
Chief Ojema in his opening remarks, noted that the perennial cases of boat mishaps have become national concerns, thus the need to call critical stakeholders together to brainstorm on the causes and the solutions to the menace.
“The several cases of boat mishaps along Inland waterways are avoidable if relevant actions are taken by the relevant authorities,” Ojema said.
“The use of local ferries and other crude means of transportation through the waterways as well as inexperienced operators of these vessels have resulted to untimely death of many Nigerians. The lack of proper and necessary regulations for the Maritime transportation sector has also contributed to the many cases of boat mishaps in Nigeria,” Ojema went further.
“It has been proven that small arms and light weapons are being smuggled along the Inland Waterways due to lack of adequate security. Consequently, sea pirates and other criminal gangs are taking advantage of the near lack of security to exploit Nigerians travelling or doing business along our waterways.”
The Aboh-OcheK’Idoma called for the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders in Maritime Transportation to nip the ugly trend in the bud, recommending “the replacement of local ferries by modern ones manned by experienced operators, training and retraining of boat drivers and other vessel operators, mandatory licensing and certification of vessels and compulsory wearing of life jackets,” as measures to reduce the upsurge of boat mishaps along Inland Waterways.
In his speech, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing safety and security on Nigeria’s inland waterways amidst concerns over a recent spike in accidents.
“We genuinely sympathise with the families of the victims. As a ministry, we are doing everything possible to avoid a repeat of the sad accidents. With the cooperation of the states, these accidents will become things of the past by the grace of God”, Oyetola said.
Oyetola reiterated that the illegal use of unregistered crafts, overloading, night sailing, and failure to use life-saving equipment such as life jackets would no longer be tolerated.
He noted, “It is illegal to use unregistered crafts on our waters. Every boat operator must be registered and certified by the relevant authorities. Overloading of goods and passengers is prohibited. Night sailing beyond 6 pm and failure to use life-saving gear such as life jackets are against the law.”
Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director and CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, noted that NIWA had deployed operational assets, including safety equipment, and increased personnel to improve the safety of commuters.
“We have brought on board more hands to strengthen our presence on the inland waters. So far, 350 Water Marshals have been positioned to sensitise boat operators and passengers across different loading platforms,” Oyebamiji said.
He also emphasised the importance of removing impediments to navigation, realigning buoys, and improving infrastructure through the implementation of the 2024 Capital Budget.
He called on state commissioners of transportation to support NIWA’s efforts by contributing to training, constructing jetties, and providing standardised boats.
Also in attendance were all the Commissioners for Transportation in the 36 states of the Federation and the representative from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Benue State was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Transport and Energy, Barr Omale Omale.