The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced the distribution of safety materials to operators of boats and mechanically propelled water crafts within the nation’s coastal regions.
This was contained in a statement signed by Deputy Director and Head, Public Relations Department of NIMASA, Mr Isichei Osamgbi, and made available to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced the distribution of safety materials to operators of boats and mechanically propelled water crafts within the nation’s coastal regions.
This was contained in a statement signed by Deputy Director and Head, Public Relations Department of NIMASA, Mr Isichei Osamgbi, and made available to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
It said that the official commencement of the distribution took place in Warri, Delta State, on July 5, with NIMASA’s Director General, Mr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi presiding.
It said that the distributed materials were meant to assist the operators to reduce loss of lives from boat accidents.
“This action is in line with the Merchant Shipping Act of 2007 which provides for the agency to regulate operations of non-convention vessels.
The Director General who was represented by the Agency’s Director, Administration and Personnel Services Mr. Chuks Mgbemena noted that as a socially responsible corporate organisation, NIMASA deemed it necessary to help reduce the trend of deaths arising from drowning of victims of boat accidents.
According to him, “there have been several cases of deaths from drowning by victims of boat accidents because very basic safety precautions such as wearing life vests onboard were not adhered to. As a responsible organization, NIMASA has procured life jackets for use by passengers to forestall further occurrence of these deaths”.
Commenting on armed robbery at sea, Mr. Mgbemena said the NIMASA has procured enough vessels to combat piracy and sea robbery and that the platforms for Warri zone are ready, assuring that these criminal activities would soon be a thing of the past as the Akpobolokemi – led management is ready to tackle it head-on.
While sensitizing boat operators along the nation’s coastline in Warri, the NIMASA delegation urged them to desist from night driving, noting that the boats are not fitted with lights or navigational equipment. The operators were also warned of the dangers of over speeding and reckless driving which are the major causes of accidents and to cultivate the culture of proper maintenance of their boats.
“These criminal activities will soon be a thing of the past as NIMASA’s management is ready to tackle it head-on,“ it added.
“The operators are also warned of the dangers of over speeding and reckless sailing of boats and vessels as such acts were major causes of accidents.
“Operators need also to cultivate the culture of proper maintenance of their boats,“ the statement added.
Receiving the materials on behalf of the boat operators, the Chairman Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Warri unit, Mr. Yakubu Biukeme thanked the management of NIMASA for their commitment to ensuring safety of life and property on the nation’s territorial waterways.
NIMASA said that the gesture of life jackets and work vests was extended to over 500 small craft operators in Pessu market jetty and the Government Riverside jetty in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The agency assured that distribution of safety materials will soon be extended to operators of non-convention vessels in Ondo, Niger, Benue and Anambra States.
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