Agency Threatens Boat Operators Over Life Jackets, Overloading

The National Inland Water Ways Authority has threatened to impound boats overloaded with goods or carrying passengers without life jackets.

The warning followed boat accident which claimed more than 15 lives in Ibaji community in the state in September last year.

The warning was communicated by the area manager in charge of NIWA Dockyard, Engr. Komolafe Eniola Olabide who was represented by Arimgbe David  during a sensitisation campaign in Idah organised by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with NIWA.

He said the enforcement would be intensified across riverine communities including Idah, Elushin, Agenebode and surrounding areas, adding that similar sensitisation had been carried out in Pata, Ganaja and Shintaku areas of the state.

He noted that the ‘One man One life-Jacket’ campaign is one way of creating awareness on the advantage of using the life jacket while using the waterways.