ARAFAT DOOR TO DOOR SUPPORT FARMER MOHAMMED UMAR BAGO’S ADMINISTRATION
In other to enforce strict adherence to Federal Government’s water transportation codes by water users and boat operators, the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA) Minna Area Office, in charge of Niger and Kwara states, has launched 12-member River Marshal Team to forstal incessant boat mishaps on waterways.
This was disclosed by Area Manager, Akapo Adeboye during sensitization, inauguration and unveiling of transportation code by stakeholders at the Malale Water fronts in Borgu local government of Niger state..
Adeboye expressed dismay over the disregard for safety precautions by water travelers, boat owners, and fishermen, who refuse to wear life jackets while on the waterways, despite repeated warnings, leaving them vulnerable in the event of a boat accident.
” We are inaugurating the River Marshalls to ensure good waterways usage by our people. Water users, boat owners including fishermen must follow the federal government
”
” Henceforth, overloading and night sailing after 6pm is prohibited, ɓut from 6am -6pm daily. Óur river Marshalls alongside NIWA staff will arrest erring boat operators, ” Adeboye warned.
The “NIWA” Area Manager however urged communities along water banks to move to higher grounds ahead of predicted flooding, to ensure safety and prevent losses.
Responding, the Borgu local government chairman, (Alh Suleiman Kilishi Yerima ) who spoke through his vice chairman Alh. Abdullahi Sarkin Maisamari commanded the Authority for organizing the sensitization for waterways users, lamenting at the number of persons that have died through boat mishaps at the waterfronts.
” This sensitization is very apt because this is the pick period based on prediction to avert boat mishaps on our waterways. We will also keep talking to our people on the need to keep to safety standards, ” he noted.
Meanwhile, Alh. Abdullahi Musa , Deputy Director Maritime Service who represented the state commissioner for Transport, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta said before now the ministry held series of meetings with boat owners on the need for them to follow codes of operation on the waterways.
He also revealed plans by the ministry to hold a meeting with relevant authorities to form a joint maritime team for the supervision of activities on the waterways to avert loss of lives while commending NIWA for inaugurating the water marshalls and sensitizing users on safety.
