Rector MAN, Says Waterways Safety Campaigns Recording Reduced Accidents

…Donates safety kits to boat operators 

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The ugly recurrence of boat mishaps and its attendant fatalities, damages and losses of valuables and goods within the nation’s waterways transportation system has scaled down significantly, since the commencement of safety campaigns and sensitization across riverine locations with pronounced waterways transportation.

HE Oyetola

Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Kevin Okonna, who dropped above hint Monday, March 24, 2025, at the inland waterways safety awareness workshop organized for boat operators and waterways commuters in Oron, Akwa Ibon State, said the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) remains upbeat at ensuring the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people, especially people involved in riverine and inland waterways transportation.Bola Oyebamiji, FCIB.

Okonna explained that the training workshop and waterways safety sensitization organized by MAN in collaboration NIWA is designed to improve operators and citizens general awareness in safety and compliance; and urged participants especially boat operators and waterways travelers to continually commit to all safety rules and guidelines in supporting government to always project and preserve an efficient, safe and attractive waterways transportation system.

In keeping absolute faith with the aggressive response of the federal government in raising the bar of safety through direct interventions in the provision of assets and insfratractures, Okonna also announced the donation of 25 safety jackets for boat operators on behalf of the Academy, with the pledge to continue to support waterways safety within the limit of its corporate social responsibility.

The Ag. Rector, Maritime Academy Of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, Dr Kevin Okonna (2nd right); The Representative, Minister Of Marine And Blue Economy, Ekanem Selia (Right); The Representative Of The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dakio Horsfall (2nd Left) And The President League Of Marítime Editors, Remi Itie At The Two-day Safety Awareness Workshop For Boat Operators And Users, Held At Oron Beach, Akwa Ibom State, On Monday.

Speaking on the importance of the sensitization workshop, Okonna said: “We are here to communicate to you the programmes of the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people, especially people involved in riverine and inland waterways transportation. 

Stakeholders in safety demonstration exercises during the sensitization workshop

“We are also here to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under the leadership of HE Adegboyega Oyetola CON, is committed to implementing the priority projects of Mr. President for the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people, in particular the people that operate boats and use boats for transportation on our inland waterways. Mr. President requires that all Ministries and their agencies should hold stakeholders/citizens engagement to inform the citizens of government programmes to serve them better and also receive feedback on their experiences and expectations from the Government.

“This workshop is therefore organised by the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in line with Mr. President’s directive and as part of the programme of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure safety on our inland Waterways.”

On the efficacy of the ongoing safety campaigns and the positive results already recorded, the Rector noted that compliance with waterways operational rules is never a waste but will reduce and avert unnecessary losses of lives and dear ones.

“As you may be aware, in the recent past, so many Nigerians have lost their lives and properties on our inland Waterways, including the popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, due to ignorance and possible non-adherence to safety practices as required by the NIWA and contained in approved guidelines for safety on Nigeria’s waterways.

“This is why the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the NIWA are embarking on nationwide Inland Waterways Safety Awareness Campaign. The Campaign has already been taken to several jetties in Nigeria to sensitize citizens on Government laws/guidelines and necessary safe practices to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s inland waterways transportation system and also donate approved lifejackets to promote the safety practices.”

Contributing to waterways safety within the Oron Beach, Okonna said, “We are encouraged with the drastic reduction in the incidents of boat accidents on our inland waterways since the campaign began. Today, we in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria are happy to collaborate with the NIWA to bring this workshop to Oron Beach with the same purpose of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, that is the engagement of the people for the promotion of safety on Nigeria’s Inland Waterways and prevention of boat accidents as well as boosting trade and industry in our riverine and coastal areas.

“We are also donating 25 life jackets to the boat operators today with the promise to make more donations in future when we are encouraged with the good use of the set of lifejackets to be donated today. I urge all of us to stay till the end of the workshop to benefit fully from the knowledge that will be shared with us.”

The MAN boss used the opportunity to invite boat operators and water crafts manufacturers and suppliers to avail themselves of specialized training courses offered by the Academy, to gain better knowledge and insight into improved nautical and navigational processes and modern techniques.

“I also want to encourage the boat operators at Oron beach to work closely with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria for training of their members in the relevant courses available at the Academy, including Power Driven Small Craft (speed boat) Operation and Outboard Engine Maintenance, etc. We have the plan to subsequently collaborate with our partners and stakeholders and take this workshop to other riverine and inland waterways jetties/beaches within the State and beyond to achieve the same stated objectives.”

Also speaking at the sensitization workshop, representatives of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON and the NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, FCIB, urged  industry operators and stakeholders, particularly boat operators and citizens that commute by waterways to adjust fully to safety requirements, while collaborating earlier submission that safety is everybody’s business.