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NIWA Moves to Address Menace of Boat Mishaps

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in collaboration with Enviroplus+ Associate Ltd has inaugurated the National Waterways Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit to address the challenge of boat mishaps that usually occur on the waterways.

The NIWA area manager, Mrs. Christy Hastu, said in Lokoja yesterday during the inauguration/sensitization programme for stakeholders in waterways transportation that the response unit would help in rapid response to emergency cases in order to save more lives.

Hastu said waterways stakeholders, especially boat operators, were sensitized on the need to use standard boats, as well as adhere strictly to carrying only the number of passengers which their boats are designed for.

The area manager attributed some causes of boat mishaps on the nation’s waterways to the use of substandard boats and overloading by vessel operators.

The Head, Projects and Programmes, Enviroplus+ Associates Ltd, Mr. Olubankole Omokivie, urged boat drivers and their passengers to wear life jackets before embarking on journeys through the waterways.

Enviroplus+ is consulting for NIWA in the training of operators in the waterways to ensure they imbibe the best practices that would guarantee safety on the waterways

2 Comments :

  1. Taye Abe 1 July 2016 at 9:20 am

    Waterways transport system is cheaper and will continue to increase in Nigeria especially coastal states. I have made several proposals and presentations in most especially to Lagos state government for the need of Boat ambulance with installed medical equipment. Nothing has been done despite my visits to Lagos Nigeria. Many lives has been lost in several parts of Nigeria through boat mishaps

  2. Taye Abe 1 July 2016 at 9:34 am

    I sent my comment to NIWA on urgent need and introduction of Boat Ambulances in all coastal and waterway states of Nigeria. I am Dr of Audiology and Consultant Of Acoustic Trauma in the field of Industrial Health Safety and Environment. (HSE)