Boat Mishap: Adhere To Water Transportation Code, Oyetola Urges Boat Users
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged boat users across the country to adhere strictly to water transportation code.
Oyetola made the call on Friday while consoling the Niger State Government
and families of those who died in the recent boat accident on Gbajibo River in the state.
The Minister in a statement by his spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, charged the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enforce the code to the letter so as to significantly standardise water transportation, minimize accidents, and provide a structured environment for potential investors.
He advised boat users to avoid night travels, over-loading and also ensure they put on life jacket before embarking on any journey, however short.
According to the minister, night traveling and over-loading are the major causes of avoidable deaths on the nation’s water.
Oyetola said that all hands must be on deck to put an end to boat accident in the country.
“I am aware that National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) embarked on an advocacy campaign recently, warning against the rising water tide, night traveling, over-loading, and the use of live jacket, including deploying its water Marshals to help enforce the transportation code,”the minister said.
The minister also urged the State Governments, especially the littoral states to brace up to the inevitable responsibility of cooperation and collaboration with NIWA, with a view to putting an end to the incessant accidents on our waters, declaring that all hands must be on deck to put an end to boat mishaps in the country.
