BY IBRAHIM SALIHU.
As part Social Responsibility of Government to curb the recurrent boat mishaps in the country, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) through its Niger-kwara Area office has rolled out free life jackets and sentization to boat operators for effective waterway users in kwauta revirine community in shiroro local government area of Niger State with the called to comply with safety regulations.
The Area Manager, Kwara Niger NIWA Akapo Adeboye who distributed over 500 life jackets, directly to all boat Operators at expected total compliance of the items.
The Area Manager in charge of Niger-kwara office, Akapo Adeboye explained that the free life jackets distribution is part of effort by NIWA management to all boat operators in Nigeria, and not just to Shiroro operators alone, but part of strategic policy to ensure total compliance to NIWA operational guidelines on “ no life jacket, no boarding of boats” in the country.
He said, with the natural resources of agricultural produced in the State saw the inncreased movements of people, goods and services for their livelihood prompted the NIWA officials to make the distribution on market day to ensure that all passengers onboard have a life jacket and tell them when and how to use it as the driver’s are also expected to adopt use of manifest of passengers before boarding.
Akapo however assured that NIWA remainder committed to ensuring safety, smooth and impactful water transportation that could help bring about the desired economic growth and development of the nation.
The Commissioner for Transportation Hadiza Idris Kuta represented by the Chief Marine Officer of the Ministry, Engineer Yahaya Idris equally warned boat operators that they must wear life jackets, avoid night travels, and avoid overloading or face full wrack of the law. Adding that the Ministry and NIWA have shown commitment to the rules of engagement on water transportation in the state.
In their separate remarks, the Village Head of the community, Boat drivers association, as well as representatives of the various marine unions in the area commended NIWA for the donation, promised to ensure abide by safety guidelines in the Area, promising that all operators will put the new life jackets to use before any movement.