“Safety On Waterways: A Shared Responsibility,” Declares NIWA’s Calabar Area Manager

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Calabar Area Manager, Dr. Stanley Onuoha made this known at a first quarter sensitization campaign in Henshaw Town Beach, Calabar.

He stressed the importance of adherence to all safety protocols before and during boarding which includes; compulsory use of Life Jackets, no overloading, the ban on night sailing (from 6pm to 6am) and so on.

He said most incidents on the waterways are avoidable which are caused due to disregard for safety standards, stressing that “safety is not the duty of the Authority alone, but a collective obligation.”

Onouha said the Authority will intensify the monitoring and enforcement of these safety protocols in collaboration with security agencies but noted that public cooperation was essential.

The highlight of the campaign was the distribution of
life jackets and the appointment of 10 community leaders as safety ambassadors to drive the campaign at the grassroots.