By Joshua Yousouph
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has warned boat operators across the country to strictly comply with waterways safety regulations during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, stressing that violations would attract severe sanctions.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with journalists at the headquarters of the National Inland Waterways Authority in Lokoja on Thursday, Girei noted that festive periods usually witness increased movement on inland waterways, especially in riverine communities, thereby necessitating stricter safety compliance.
He stated that overloading of boats would not be tolerated, while the use of life jackets by all passengers and operators remains compulsory.
According to him, night travel, alcohol consumption by boat operators, and failure to observe weather advisories also remain prohibited.
“No overload, wearing of life jackets is mandatory, no night travel, no alcohol, and operators must ensure proper weather checks before embarking on any journey,” he said.
The NIWA Acting MD disclosed that enforcement teams, working in collaboration with relevant security agencies, would be deployed across jetties nationwide to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations throughout the Sallah period.
He warned that any operator found violating the directives risks arrest, seizure of vessels, and prosecution.
Girei also advised passengers to avoid boarding overloaded boats, vessels without adequate life jackets, or boats operating at night.
While extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithful, he appealed to community and religious leaders to intensify waterways safety awareness during sermons and public gatherings.
Meanwhile, the NIWA boss urged stakeholders and clients of the Authority not to panic over the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning aspects of the NIWA Act.
He explained that the apex court upheld NIWA’s statutory responsibilities relating to inland waterways navigation, safety regulation, channel management, river infrastructure development, and the promotion of inland waterways transportation as contained in Sections 10 and 11 of the Act.
According to him, Sections 12 and 13 of the NIWA Act, which deal with land matters unrelated to maritime activities, were voided by the Supreme Court only to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.
Girei therefore urged stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and await an official statement from NIWA after obtaining the Certified True Copy of the judgment from the Supreme Court
