Dare Babalola
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has placed an outright ban on all loading activities from unauthorised points across the country, insisting that only recognised and registered jetties may be used.
This was made public by Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of the NIWA, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Oyebamiji, the purpose of the ban is to curb boat accidents and improve safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Oyebamiji stated, “NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorised loading points across the country. No commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other than those recognised and registered by NIWA.
“It is mandatory for all commercial boat operators to provide and enforce the use of lifejackets on the boats always. Every commercial passenger boat must properly display its Boat Name Letters and Load line.”
“All unlicensed boats and watercraft must be removed from the waterways,” the Managing Director declared.
He also prohibited all unlicensed boat drivers and operators from operating any boats or watercraft on the waterways.
The authority has also called on riverine states to partner with NIWA in safety campaigns, training of operators, procurement and distribution of lifejackets, provision of landing platforms and deployment of modern ferries.
Several deadly inland waterway accidents have occurred in the past six months.
