- The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has warned boat operators and passengers in Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State, to adhere to safety rules or face arrest and prosecution.
- NIWA accused boat operators of prioritizing profits over passengers’ safety and warned against overloading, night travels, and carrying goods and passengers on the same boat.
- The agency is collaborating with the Nigerian police, Nigerian Navy, and Maritime Police to enforce safety regulations and arrest offenders.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has read the riot act to boat operators and passengers in Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State. NIWA warned that boat operators and passengers must adhere to safety rules, including wearing life jackets, avoiding night travels and overloading, and not carrying goods and passengers on the same boat.
NIWA Managing Director, Mr. Bolaji Oyebamiji, stated that the agency will no longer tolerate the disregard for safety rules by boat operators, who prioritize profits over passengers’ safety. The agency is collaborating with the Nigerian police, Nigerian Navy, and Maritime Police to enforce safety regulations and arrest offenders.
The sensitization program, which was taken to the Onitsha and Asaba markets, aimed to educate boat operators and passengers on the importance of safety rules. NIWA emphasized that safety rules observation is crucial, especially during the festive periods when many people travel by boat due to high transportation costs.
