Oyetola Constitute Ministerial Committee To Tackle Recurring Boat Accidents

…As NIWA Mgmt Receives Delegation of Local Boat Manufacturers

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Concerned about the recurring incidents of boat mishaps in the nation’s waterways transportation system and its resultant fatality, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola has set up a special committee to review the operations of commercial boat operators with a view to addressing the challenges.

In a meeting in Abuja on Thursday with heads of agencies under the ministry, Oyetola, noted that the present government is concerned and determined to turn the tide, and hence the need to proffer informed and practicable solutions to reduce accidents on the waterways to the barest minimum.

According to a statement by the Ministry’s Director in charge of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, the committee is expected to review and come up with recommendations and actionable plans that would checkmate the menace.

To chair the committee is the committee has the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority  (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, while other members of the committee includes the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola; ED NIOMR, Prof. S. Abiodun; ED NIFFR, Dr. A.M. Sule; and P-FCFFT, Dr. B.D.Olaosebikan.

Others are TA.HM.FMMBE, Prof.B.Fakinlede and DD-IWW, Mr. A. Offie who will serve as the committee secretary.

The statement indicated that the terms of reference (TOR) to guide the committee include but not limited to the following: Review the existing commercial boat transport operations and assess; Boat mishaps and its causative factors; Current boat operations safety & security compliance; and existing boat specifications in relation to acceptable standards.

The committee is also expected to develop a comprehensive plan to respond to findings and recommendations expected to give purpose to its assignment.

In particular, the committee is expected to develop standard design specification for basic categories of commercial boats for Coastal and Inland Waterway and to consider any other related measures/issues as may be deemed appropriate for safe and viable commercial boat operations in our coastal and inland waterway transport system.

The committee was given 21 days to complete the assignment and submit its report.

Meanwhile, the leadership of NIWA in deepening strategic collaboration with stakeholders is believed to have teamed up with an indigenous boat manufacturing company to discuss the production of quality, fibre/aluminum boats.

This is coming on the heels of plans by the authority to undertake a planned gradually phase out of wooden boats to effectively reinvent safe water transportation.

NIWA boss, Bola Oyebamiji who reportedly met with the chief executives of the indigenous boat manufacturing company when the latter paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja said synergy has become of essence to collectively address the challenge of boat mishaps.

Mr. Yemi Aluko, speaking on behalf of the boat manufacturing company was quoted as saying that boats can be fitted into any kind of water, either shallow or deep with assurance, if the materials are of good quality that meets specification and safety standards.