Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has constituted a special committee to review the operations of commercial boat operators in coastal and inland waterways with a view to addressing incessant boat mishaps across the country.
Speaking at a meeting with heads of agencies under the ministry, the minister noted that it has become a matter of urgent concern, hence the need to proffer solutions to reduce mishaps to the barest minimum.
The committee is expected to review and come up with recommendations and actionable plans that would checkmate the menace.
The committee has the managing director of National Inland Waterways (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, as chairman.
The terms of reference to guide the committee include but not limited to: review the existing commercial boat transport operations and assess; develop a comprehensive plan to address the findings from the assessment and guarantee safe commercial boat transport operations in Coastal and Inland Waterway; develop standard design specification for basic categories of commercial boats for Coastal and Inland Waterway; and consider any other related measures/issues as may be deemed appropriate for a safe and viable commercial boat operations in our coastal and Inland waterway transport system that would address incessant boat mishaps.
The director of information and press of the ministry, Anastasia Ogbonna, said the committee has 21 days to complete the assignment and submit a comprehensive report to the ministry.
