NIWA To Commence 24 Hours Waterways Surveillance

...To Employ More Water Marshals

By Winifred Ngozi Orji

Harboursandport.com: Lagos- October 28, 2024: National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, plans to employ additional marshals toensure 24 hours surveillance of the nation's waterways.

Disclosing this during a media parley with maritime journalists in Lagos, NIWA's Managing Director, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, announced that the Authority has decided to extend the Marshals' closing hours from 6 pm to 24 hours a day to ensure that boat operators and their drivers comply with water transportation regulations.

He also noted that the Water Marshals have been directed to initiate round-the-clock monitoring in specific areas to reduce nighttime travel as well as prevent overloading.

Oyebamiji stated that the Authority's aim to minimize boat accidents on the nation's waterways significantly contributed to the decision to implement 24-hour surveillance. 

He revealed that the majority of boat accidents in the country are primarily due to human errors.

He stated that, in an effort to ensure compliance, NIWA has conducted more grassroots safety campaigns this year than at any other time during the same period in the past and has also increased its number of water marshals from 80 to 350 personnel.

Additionally, he emphasized that these water marshals have been assigned to various loading and unloading locations throughout the country.

During the question and answer session, the NIWA boss revealed that the Authority aims to enhance public awareness as well as conduct campaigns in the sector through quarterly sensitization efforts. 

Other initiatives according to Oyebamiji includes training boat drivers to understand the rules of the waterways as well as placing navigation buoys throughout the inland waterways to guide boat operators on safe routes. 

He stressed that these measures, if effectively executed, could significantly reduce boat accidents on the nation's waterways.

The NIWA helmsman said most boat accidents on the country's waterways are as a result of human errors, negative attitudes, and a clear neglect of safety procedures. 

He further said that the enlightenment campaigns need to continue while enforcement which has been strengthened by the establishment of the transport code, must be rigorously enforced.

He charged the maritime media to assist in raising public awareness about the importance of being safety conscious.