NIWA gets tough on quack boat drivers, non-use of life jackets in Delta

National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), on Monday, vowed to flush out quack boat drivers as well as go tough on non-usage of life jackets from its waterways in Delta State.

The Unit Head of Marine Department in NIWA, Warri office, Engr. Ipimoroti Adeleye made these known at an ongoing five-day training workshop organized for boat drivers in Warri.

The said the measures were being taken to ensure the safety of lives and property as well as reduce water/river accidents in waterways, warning that quack boat drivers would no longer be allowed on the waterways.

Adeleye disclosed that NIWA would soon embark on patrols that would have a zero intolerance for excuses when its fully out to enforce its safety rules.

He urged the relevant marine companies to send in their staff (boat drivers) for the training being organized for NIWA to help train them to keep the waterways safe from accidents and other hazards.

Mr Innocent Ohwotuemuhor, a trainer with Lufredha Academy, said the boat drivers should always avoid alcohol and drugs (controllable & uncontrollable) if they must drive.

According to him, “Alcohol will impair your judgements of driving. You’re not supposed to be on drugs.”

Ohwotuemuhor also advised boat drivers to ensure that their passengers always wore life jackets before boarding boats for any trip bearing in mind all safety rules applicable to NIWA.

He said the boat drivers should always move with their communication gadgets whenever they embarked on any journey, especially during critical times and unfavourable weather conditions weather.

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Earlier, the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr.George Muoghalu, said the training programme for the boat drivers in collaboration with LUFREDHA Academy.

Dr Muoghalu, who was represented by the Warri Area Manager, Engr. Mohammed Dangana said the five-day programme was open to all eligible power boaters: crew boat, cruising and racing skippers as well as commercial fishermen.

“The training is structured to be conducted by experienced captains of marine industries, all experts in their field to provide novice and experienced boat operators with information and skills required to prepare for inland navigation, boat preparation, handling heavy weather etc.

“On-the-water demonstration will include a quick stop and man overboard recoveries, and flare procedures,” he noted.

The Chairman of the event, Mr Sonny Sidadi-Kadiri appreciated NIWA in collaboration with Lufredha Academy for the training and retraining of boat drivers, urging them to maintain acceptable safety standards as obtainable anywhere in the world.

“It is to ensure that the basic requirements for the safety of life and property, along the waterways, are not compromised. We look forward to the water demonstration or drill which will include quick stop; man overboard recoveries and flare procedures. These demonstrations, though entertaining, are for the safety of lives.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Lufredha Academy, Tonlagha Rosemary, in his remarks, said the training of boat drivers would help in reducing accidents and other waterways tragedies.