FG Unveils Code Of Conduct To Enhance Safety On Inland Waterways … Calls on private sector to utilise opportunities

 

Oru Leonard 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a code of conduct for boat operators, passengers and other stakeholders to mitigate incidents of boat mishaps on the inland.

In his remarks during a working visit to unveil inland water ways transportation regulations 2023 and commissioning of other various projects and commission projects at the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), headquarters, Lokoja on Tuesday, Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. said that administration have taken note of all the challenges reeled out by the NIWA management in its quest to improve on delivery of its mandates.

“I want to assure you that we shall look into them with a view to addressing them one after the other. Those challenges that are internal and are impeding your day-to-day operations, we shall be addressing with dispatch, while the ones that are external, we shall take them up with the appropriate quarters immediately.

“I am aware that of the 10, 000 kilometres of our waterways, only 3,000 kilometres are navigable. We are determined to increase them by at least 2,000 kilometres more. This is why it is desirable for us to embark on a holistic dredging of strategically important inland Waterways for the passage of goods and people”.

He noted that it is a task that must be accomplished to create positive change, and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

The Minister further indicated that the ministry is engaging relevant stakeholders to finalise the arrangement for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for the development of the maritime sector.
“As a ministry, we will continue to create the enabling environment, develop policies and offer the necessary support to grow the Inland Waterways segment of the maritime sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

“In line with the mandate of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we will continue to pursue vigorously the development of the shipping and maritime related sectors in order to ensure sustainable development of our marine resources”.

The Minister then called on the private sector to explore and utilise the opportunities inherent in the sector for possible investment and partnership with Government to enhance growth and ensure sustainable development.

Oyetola disclosed that his visit was critical to the vision of the Ministry as it affords the opportunity to interface with the Management and the staff of NIWA so as to further strengthen its activities and strategies for enhanced performance.

The Minister, further speaking remark that administration have taken note of all the challenges reeled out by the NIWA management in its quest to improve on delivery of its mandates.

“I want to assure you that we shall look into them with a view to addressing them one after the other. Those challenges that are internal and are impeding your day-to-day operations, we shall be addressing with dispatch, while the ones that are external, we shall take them up with the appropriate quarters immediately.

Meanwhile, the Minister has called on the private sector to explore and utilise the opportunities inherent in the sector for possible investment and partnership with Government to enhance growth and ensure sustainable development.

Commending NIWA management, he said that his visit was critical to the vision of the Ministry as it affords the opportunity to interface with the Management and the staff of the Agency so as to further strengthen its activities and strategies for enhanced performance.

“I am, therefore, not surprised that like every other agency under my watch, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has also keyed into the concerted efforts at achieving the economic goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration led by our pragmatic President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I must commend the management of NIWA for their visionary intervention in ensuring that the Water Transportation Code comes alive after several years of being in the pipeline.

“The Code, as we may be aware, would now guide the boat operators, regulate the conduct of passengers as well as provide a framework for potential investors in water transportation. With the code, I am convinced that we can now standardise Water Transportation, thereby reducing accidents on our waters to the barest minimum. This was one of the charges I gave the Managing Director of NIWA when he assumed office. I am happy he is able to take practical steps towards addressing it. I must however urge NIWA to ensure the enforcement of the regulations”.

The Minister, informed that apart from the Water Transportation Code, other projects that were being inaugorated includes fifteen 15 boats of varying capacities and uses, comprising three 3 boats with 150 Horsepower each for surveillance to ensure that the NIWA Police officers are more visible. Also among are five 5 boats with doubles 75 Horsepower each for enforcement of safety rules and regulations; one 1 Gun Patrol Boat (combat ready) with 115Horsepower for emergency response to security threat; and one 1 62-seater passenger boat as a pilot scheme to replace the wooden passenger canoe, three 3 fully equipped water ambulances for prompt response to emergencies and two 2 hydrographic survey boats with multi-beam echo sounders to provide a more detailed and accurate picture of the seafloor among other projects.

“the inauguration of these projects is in further fulfillment of our commitment to ensuring that our Inland Waterways are well utilised both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation”. He said.

Speaking during his opening speech, the Managing Director, CEO Bola Oyebanji, of NIWA, remarked that efforts made by the leadership within the shortest period are yielding the desired result. “Today, you are here to officially launch the Transportation Code for public use. Going forward, this Code will guide the boat operators, regulate the conduct of passengers and provide a framework for potential investors in water transportation. At this point, kindly permit me to recognize the enormous efforts put into this by the past Management Teams, they did their best until we took over. It was indeed a long journey here”.

The MD, stated that also ready commissioning in response to the outcomes of its self-appraisal are fifteen 15 boats of varying capacities and uses. There are three 3PC W23 boats with 150HP each for surveillance to ensure that the NIWA Police officers are more visible; five 5PC W23 boats with doubles 75HP each for enforcement of safety rules and regulations; one 1 Gun patrol boat (combat ready) with 115HP for emergency response to security threat; one 1 62-seater passenger boat as a pilot to replace the wooden passenger canoe. I should add here that another 32-seater boat, not part of what we are commissioning today, is waiting at NIWA Port Harcourt Area Office for deployment for the same purpose.

Additionally, the MD said it have three 3 fully equipped water ambulances for prompt response to emergencies and two 2 hydrographic survey boats with multi-beam echo sounders to provide a more detailed and accurate picture of the seafloor.

He said that among facilities for commissioning, include a 2-storey office building to solve the internal problem of shortage of offices; a standard Primary Healthcare Center registered with NHIS; a befitting security post for the NIWA Police; a reception building to provide information for clients and visitors; and a fire truck to respond to emergencies within and outside the premises.

Among these the NIWA MD, believes, will further assure the staff of the readiness of the Management Team to provide a conducive working environment for all within the available resources.

Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who was represented by his Deputy, said his government is open to collaborate and give necessary assistance to NIWA.

Chairman Senate committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, and his counterpart at the lower Chamber Honourable Ojotu Ojeme, unanimously assures of their committee’ help in fast tracking the existence of new NIWA regulation backed up by the act of parliament, with the view that none of NIWA activities would be backed up by without it.