…Urges boat users to avoid night travels, overloading
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has expressed his condolences to the Niger State government and the families of victims involved in the recent boat accident on Gbajibo River.
Oyetola also advised boat users to refrain from night travels, avoid overloading, and always wear life jackets, regardless of the journey’s length. He stressed that night travel and overloading are the primary causes of avoidable deaths on waterways.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola urged strict adherence to the water transportation code, emphasising the need for collective action to prevent future accidents.
“I am aware that NIWA recently launched an advocacy campaign, warning against rising water tides, night travel, overloading, and the importance of wearing life jackets. The deployment of water marshals to enforce these rules is crucial,” Oyetola stated.
He also called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to fully enforce safety regulations to standardise water transportation, minimise accidents, and create a safer environment for investors.
Furthermore, Oyetola urged state governments, particularly littoral states, to collaborate with NIWA to address recurring boat accidents. He emphasised that preventing mishaps on waterways requires the combined efforts of all stakeholders.
