By Uzor Odigbo
Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu has announced stricter regulations as a measure to stop incessant boat mishaps that has led to loss of lives across the country in recent times.
Addressing a body of stakeholders in marine transport and commercial boat operation business in Lagos, Moghalu said marine accidents discovered to have been caused due to violations to rules will attract serious sanctions like seizure of boats , withdrawal of licence and prosecution.
Moghalu said NIWA will not hesitate to institute legal action to prosecute violators newly updated protocols and guidelines aimed at preventing boat mishaps along the nation’s inland waterways.
“I’m sure you are aware that we have protocols at NIWA that states compulsory wearing of life jackets, no alcohol or drugs to be taken by boat captain. From 6pm , no boat should operate. No night travels
“We have also come to know that there is midstream transfer of passengers and boats still operate despite bad weather. You see boats trying to fill their tanks with passengers onboard
“I called this meeting to let operators know that we are now going to drastically enforce these safety protocols. We are going to move to recertify all vessels, no matter how small or big as far as it operates on our inland waters. There is going to be training of captains. No captain would be allowed to operate if he is not certified by NIWA.
“We are going to start impounding vessels now, especially those that are not seaworthy or certified by NIWA. We are going to kickstart a regime of random checks. Don’t be surprised to see our police on water chasing and impounding vessels”
“In conducting the random checks, we would even go to boat yards. By law, you are not supposed to set up a boat yard without NIWA
“These lawlessness cannot continue, all safety protocols must be observed because we cannot afford to lose any life again.
“We have set up a place in Warri . We are setting up a place in Lagos and other parts of the country as training and certification centres” Moghalu said.
The NIWA MD also described ship to ship transfer of passengers midstream, overloading and dredging at night as unsafe practices that must be discontinued