Boat Mishaps: FG Take Steps To Reverse Trend
Inaugurate Committee To Address Issues
THe Federal Government, through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated a special Committee to review the operations of commercial boat operators in Coastal and Inland Waterways with a view to addressing incessant boat mishaps in the country.
NIWA source told our reporter that “After a meeting in Abuja with Heads of Agencies under the Ministry, Oyetola said that it has become a matter of urgent concern, hence the need to proffer solutions to reduce it to the barest minimum.”
The Committee is expected to review and come up with recommendations and actionable plans that would checkmate the menace of boat accidents within the country.
The Committee which has the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji as Chairman, also have Dr. Dayo Mobereola DG-NIMASA, Prof. S. Abiodun ED-NIOMR , Dr A.M Sule ED-NIFFR, Dr B.D. Olaosebikan P-FCFFT, Prof. B. Fakinlede , TA-HM-FMMBE as members with Mr A. Offie , DD-IWW as Secretary.
The Terms of Reference to guide the Committee include but not limited to: Review the existing commercial boat transport operations and assess, Boat mishaps and its causative factors; Current boat operations safety and security compliance; and Existing boat specifications in relation to acceptable standards.
Develop a comprehensive plan to address the findings from the assessment and guarantee safe commercial boat transport operations in Coastal and Inland Waterway.
Develop standard design specification for basic categories of commercial boats for Coastal and Inland Waterway; and
Consider any other related measures/issues as may be deemed appropriate for a safe and viable commercial boat operations in our coastal and Inland waterway transport system that would address incessant boat mishaps.
The Committee has 21 days to complete the assignment and submit a comprehensive report to the Ministry.
Maritime stakeholders are hopeful that this initiative shall usher in a new era in water transportation in the country.
