The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has commiserated with the Niger State Government and families of those who died in the recent boat accident on Gbajibo River in Niger State, urging boat users to stop night trips.
The minister also warned against overloading and urged waterways travellers to ensure using live jackets before embarking on any journey, however short.
Oyetola identified night traveling and overloading as the major causes of avoidable deaths on the waterways.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, the minister who noted that all hands must be on deck to put an end to boat accident, further urged boat users to adhere strictly to the water transportation code.
“I am aware that National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) embarked on an advocacy campaign recently, warning against the rising water tide, night traveling, over-loading, and the use of live jacket, including deploying its water Marshals to help enforce the transportation code,” Oyetola said.
He charged NIWA to enforce the code to the letter to significantly standardise water transportation, minimise accidents, and provide a structured environment for potential investors.
Oyetola also urged state governments, especially the littoral states, to brace up to the inevitable responsibility of cooperation and collaboration with NIWA with a view to putting an end to the incessant accidents on the waters, stressing that all hands must be on deck to put an end to boat mishaps in the country.
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