LAGOS WATERWAYS : NIWA To Embark On Twice Weekly Routine Patrol , Trains Operators

By Roland Ekama 

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has disclosed plans to embark on twice a week routine patrol on the Lagos State waters as part of efforts to monitor activities of boat operators.

Against the backdrop of effective policing , the initiative is aimed to providing safety measures, reduce boat mishaps and enforcement for erring operators within the brown waters activities.

Speaking at a one day training programme on Saturday in Lagos, Managing Director NIWA , Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji who mobilized boat operators for the capacity building programme, stated that four zones have been established for effective monitoring of the Lagos waterways.

The MD reiterated that personnel have been deployed for the initiative, which comprise – Marine Police, Joint Taskforce and NIWA officials, pointing out y all areas of the Lagos waterways will be police effectively .

Oyebamiji who was represented by the Manager, Lagos Area Office, NIWA, Engr. Sarat Braimah, said four zones have been created for the operations noting that the waterways policing will cover Ikorodu, Epe ,Igbologun and Badagry.

Strategically, he noted that the zones have been mapped A,B,C and D for the operations.

The Managing Director further urged the operators to assist the authority with useful and operational information towards tackling boat mishaps within the Lagos district .

During the training, the Lagos Area Manager , National Inland Waterways Authority called on the operators to join hands with the waterways regulator to deliberate and fashion out how best to address a nagging matter: frequent boat mishaps.

Sarat also reeled out number of competencies and skills that is required Prominent among these is proficiency in swimming. How many of them can swim during emergencies?

She requested those among this group who cannot swim to willingly show up to be trained by NIWA since they are the first line of help to passengers should there be a boat mishap.

She told the gathering to see the day’s engagement as designed to take a critical look at reasons boat mishaps persist on Lagos waters despite all measures the agency has put in place to curtail or even eradicate it.

” Have people been failing in roles they play or are supposed to play to curb the menace? What are the problems of captains, deck hands, passengers, government regulators and any other stakeholder?

“How are these to be realistically tackled to collectively offer a reliable platform to address incidents of boat mishaps in the Lagos area? Are there things the regular is yet to do to solve this nagging issue? Are there fresh ideas and suggestions that can help out?

The well-attended gathering was for operators from Zone A comprising Badagry, Tin Can and Ijegun areas

 

It was a no-holds- barred engagement. Boat operators – irrespective of status – were offered unfettered opportunity devoid of any encumbrances to air their views on the issue of safety at sea.

Boat drivers and deck hands who ordinarily would feel shy saying the truth in the presence of their bosses and the regulator were encouraged to speak out while their employers were urged to freely accommodate candid views from their subordinates for the sole purpose of achieving safety on the inland waterways, going forward.

Highpoints of the training for the boat operators was a lecture on safety and rescue
intervention.

Lecturer, Comrade Friday Essien appealed to NIWA to streamline the cost of her licence with the one from NIMASA which, he stated, is cheaper.

 

Among their complaints, the boat drivers complained of meagre payments that cannot sustain them.

They requested NIWA to reduce the fees for training to enable them afford it. Reacting, Engr Braimah encouraged them to imbibe the habit of saving to raise the money, realizing the implications of not getting trained on their job.