By Uzor Odigbo
The immediate past National President, Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Mr. Matthew Alalade, has advocated for the three tiers of government and disaster authorities to declare state of the emergency on safety standard mechanism in furtherance to prevent loss of lives and properties at sea.
Alalade, at the weekend, lamented that lack of enforcement on the part of the relevant agencies of the government as regards safety protocols for passengers led to the recent hike in boat accident.
According to him, the presence of combined authorities from marine and disaster patrol on the waterways would bring about effective information sharing and swift reaction in case of accident adding that personnel should also be deployed to strategic positions and jetties to enforce safety compliance on the passengers.
The former union president also frowned at government lack of proactive steps in curbing marine accident and mishaps on the waterways noting that the situation may possibly discourage waterways system of transportation which has contributed to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He affirmed that water transportation in Lagos has helped to reduce the pressure of the deplorable condition of the roads in Lagos and environs thus must not be compromised.
The Merchant Navy chief further added that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) with support from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) should jointly pull resources together in forestalling future mishaps and avoiding waterways disasters.
He also called on state and federal emergency agencies to support maritime authorities to champion safety of passengers at sea.
“The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) both have a pivotal role to play in this regards and I believe with all these organisations put together will go a long way to prevent further calamities in our waterways.”
While calling on local government authorities in the state to support safety precautions of passengers, Alalade stressed that government at the grassroots levels in riverine communities have key roles to play by engaging local divers stationed at the jetties few kilometers away each other to monitor movement of ferries and boats , saying in the time of distress they can be useful to save lives and properties.
He also commended the DG of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, over moves to engage sister agencies in an attempt to collaborate and tackle boat mishaps and other inland waterways disasters in Lagos.