CITIZENS COMPASS— The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) on Tuesday, commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, and the Managing Director of NIWA Bola Oyebamiji FCIB, for adopting measures to ensure safety on our waterways.
The National Secretary General of the association, Comrade Agada Noah, disclosed this during a press conference in Lokoja, Kogi State.
“We use this medium to commend the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H E, Adegboyega Oyetola and the Managing Director/CEO for graciously adopting and implementation of the Nigeria’s Water Transportation code into reality. A working document that has for several years been in the pipeline.
Also, we acknowledge the fortification of the waterways surveillance for the enforcement of safety rules and regulations, emergency response to security threats and safe waterways patrol.
While pushing for a safer waterways, NIWA had trained over 300 boat operators, distributed thousands of life jackets, recruited over 500 water marshals, translation of safety campaign materials into over 40 languages along the riverine, prompt removal of logs after as and at when due, community engagements among many others”
According to Noah, it is imperative to tackle the root causes of these preventable accidents. Stakeholders must enforce stricter regulations on boat operators, ensure regular maintenance of vessels, and impose penalties for non-compliance with safety standards.
He listed the demands of the association as follows;
1. That the FG should expedite the means of facing out wooden boats and replacing them with modern fiber boats.
2. That the FG through the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should pay more attention to NIWA by increasing budgetary allocations and increasing manpower to meet up with the Renewed Hope agenda of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
3. That the full enforcement of the Nigeria’s Water Transportation code be put into reality to check waterways accidents
4. That National Assembly members who come from the riverine areas focus of collaborating with the water transporters and provide modern facilities, campaigns and sensitization to reduce accidents.
Therefore, as the representatives of the younger generation, we remain committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of Nigerians. We enjoin relevant authorities to ensure that proactive measures are taken to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies.
The loss of even a single life is too many. Let this mishap be a turning point in our collective resolve to ensure that no Nigerian has to die needlessly due to preventable factors.
Earlier during their visit to the Headquarters the Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji appreciated their coming for such engagement.
The MD said 99% of boat Mishap are caused by human error, attitude of boat operators and passengers not adhering to safety protocols.
He also highlighted some of the achievements of the authority in recent i.e nationwide sensitization campaign, donation of free life jackets, deployment of more Water Marshalls, creation of Seven Search and Rescue Units, in the process of procuring fiber boats and collaboration with State Governments to curb the incessant boat mishap in the country.
There was a power point presentation by Dr. Wale Tijani Technical Adviser to the MD, contributions from Engr. Dakio Horsfall GM (Marine), Engr Muhammed Dangana GM (Special Duties) and Ibrahim Sade GM (Procurement).
Also in attendance are; Surv. Olawale Adetola James GM (Business Development), Engr. Fidelis Agbahi GM (Ports and Environment), Japhet Maisaje GM (Audit), Mu’azu Dan’Azumi GM (RPS), DCP Shaibu Audu (Commander Inland Waterways police), and Jude Ogbe (Head of Servicom).
Among the students present were; Comrade Agada Noah (Secretary General NAPS), Njoku Francis (P.R.O NAPS), Usman Ibrahim Dende (Director of Program NAPS), Acholo Philomina (Director of Mobilisation NANS) among others.
