The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced its commitment to arresting boats overloaded with passengers, as part of a broader strategy to restore confidence in water transportation across Benue State and enhance safety on the waterways.
Engr. Samson Onobu, the Area Manager of NIWA in Makurdi, stated that enforcement against overloading began on Monday.
He emphasised the importance of boat drivers adhering to safety regulations to minimize accidents.
Onobu made these remarks during a public sensitisation event at Makurdi’s Wadata waterside, where he educated stakeholders and the public about water safety measures aimed at reducing unnecessary loss of life.
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He highlighted several common causes of waterway accidents, including speeding, overloading, nighttime operations without proper lighting, and transporting passengers without life jackets.
He urged parents and traditional leaders to discourage children from swimming in order to reduce drowning incidents.
“Boats in poor conditions must be repaired. We have begun enforcement and will be inspecting boats at loading points. Overloading must stop.
“Many accidents are caused by overloading, and we cannot continue putting passengers’ lives at risk. Any boat found carrying too many passengers will be arrested,” he said.
Onobu also noted that inexperienced boat operators often cause accidents by speeding, which leads to water entering the boat. He emphasised the mandatory use of life jackets, urging boat operators to purchase life jackets in bulk to make them more affordable for their teams.
In addition, Onobu announced the introduction of a new Waterways Code by the Federal Government, which bans night sailing and limits boat operations to the hours between 6am and 6pm.
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