The Calabar Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr Stanley Onouha, has advised boat operators to comply with the cardinal guidelines for safety in the waterways.
He said this on Tuesday during a safety sensitization program for boat operators and maritime stakeholders meeting held at the NIWA area office in Calabar.
Onouha noted that the safety sensitization Program is intended to remind Boat Drivers, Operators and Passengers on the need to be Safety conscious while plying on the waterways and as well, let them know their various responsibilities, obligations and roles required in ensuring safety while on board.
The Area Manager outlined that Boat Operators should ensure that all; Boats have adequate and functional life jacket for use of passengers while on board.
Boats plying the Inland Waterways must be surveyed annually for River Worthiness and Registered by NIWA for it to be eligible to operate.
Boat Operators and Drivers must be trained, certified and issued with Boat Driving License. Boats movement on the Inland Waterways must be carried out between 7am to 7pm and boats must have all the necessary navigation equipment and its names boldly written on both sides of the Hull.
Onouha revealed that the Area Office has produced and shared safety fliers that enunciated these guidelines and as well has transcribed it in one of the local languages (Efik) for the benefit of Operators who may not be too literate in English Language.
He called for strict adherence to maritime safety guidelines, stressing that there would be regular patrols on the waterways to ensure that everyone complied, and those who do not comply will have their boats or ships confiscated or the office will decline the operational license of such defaulter, so that they’ll not ply on the waterways.
Tribune online gathered that one of the Stakeholders, Lufredha Academy Limited, is offering a safety training initiative for boat drivers in Cross River and Ebonyi states, called “Boat Drivers Navigation and Safety Training” which is organized in collaboration with NIWA to equip boat drivers with the essential skills required to navigate the Nigerian inland waterways, thereby reducing mishaps caused by unskilled personnel.
The Area Manager called on all Boat Drivers to register for the training immediately and afterwards acquire their Drivers License, as enforcement of this regulation will commence by 1 January, 2024, emphasizing that no boat Operator will be allowed to operate on the Inland Waterways without a Boat Driving License after the expiration of this deadline.
On his part, Cross River State Commissioner for Transport, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, assured the state government’s cooperation in ensuring the safety of the waterfront and stressed on the need for proper documentation in terms of passengers manifest and identification of boats, in case of
mishap or security challenge, the security operatives can be able to nib it in the bud.