NIWA Seeks Drug Test For Boat Operators

Amidst heightened concern of likely drug use by boat operators leading to many boat mishaps along River Niger, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is seeking a partnership with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other agencies to run tests on operators.

LEADERSHIP reports that within one year, boat mishaps have claimed  no fewer than 100 lives on the middle course of the River Niger in Niger  States

The NIWA Area Manager, Mr Akapo Adeboye, indicated such plans during a sensitisation for boat operators, traders, and farmers in Katcha Local Government Area, one of the areas that recently lost many lives in a boat mishap.

According to him, the sensitisation was meant to educate them on enhanced safety measures to reduce waterway accidents and avoid taking substances while operating the boats.

Adeboye recalled the various boat accidents involving farmers and traders in the area. He said NIWA had introduced penalties for non-compliance with safety regulations, including an N50,000 fine for night travel and transporting hazardous, inflammable materials or excessive mining sandbags.

He listed other penalties, such as fines of N20,000 for overloading and dumping refuse into waterways and an N10,000 fine for failure to use a life jacket, operating a boat without a valid license, or lacking a fire extinguisher.

He said, “We have observed that many boat drivers lack adequate experience. To address this, NIWA provides necessary training to improve safety and protect lives and property.”

While donating over 100 live Jackets, he disclosed that all passengers must henceforth register their names in a cargo manifest provided by NIWA before boarding, saying that the measure was to ensure accurate passenger records in case of emergencies.