By Joshua Yousouph
Maritime agencies and others stakeholders in the industry have lauded the newly-formed Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) for training 126 boat operators and skippers on safety and security on the waterways.
Speaking during a one day training on “Boat/Ferry crew capacity development for safer inland waterways transportation” which held in Lagos over the weekend, the of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Head of Marine Operations, Engr Elsie Egwuatu noted that the training would help improve the knowledge and adherence of boat operators to safety rules and regulations on the waterways.
While stressing on the importance of safety and security on the waterways, Egwuatu advised other associations to take a que from WABOTAN and bring up initiatives that would impact on the society.
“If we don’t train them, don’t blame them, because if they don’t know what is expected of them, there is no way they can adhere to the safety rules and regulations on the waterways. WABOTAN just came on board and I must say that they hit the ground running, their efforts to impact on the society is commendable.
“NIWA is always desirous of keeping the waterways accident-free, we are ready to collaborate with anybody or association that is keeping in to this endeavours as safety is everybody’s business; both regulators, operators and the passengers. If we can catch operators for them to know what is expected of them on the waterways, we will be able to achieve the safety we are clamouring for,” she said.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director, District Surveyor, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Patrick Ike noted that the programme was supposed to address some greater problem of mishap on the country’s waterways.
In his lecture, he exposed participants to safety and precautionary measures during boarding, disembarking and emergencies on Power Driven Small Crafts (PDSC) Boats. He also stressed on the need for the PDSC certification for boat operators.
“Unfortunately, when we that are supposed to come and enlighten the operators to imbibe the safety culture in them are called, we don’t attend, at the end of the day we blame some of these mishaps on negligence, incompetence. We that have the key and suppose to do something on this are not doing so, what do we expect, the rate of the mishap will still continue.
“I give WABOTAN kudos for organising this and charge them not to relent, they should include all agencies and stakeholders the next time they are hosting the training to ensure safety on the waterways,” Ike said.
The General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel while reiterating the importance of training and enlightenment of boat operators for safer waterways, commended the President of WABOTAN and his entire executives for organising the training.
He also promised to always support the association as far as they change the narratives by doing the right thing by obeying the laws governing the waterways.
“For us, anything that would develop the inland waterways, we are always happy about it and we would always support such initiative. We are very delighted and that is why we are here in full force to support this training.
“This training would help prevent possible incidents in the waterways and equip the operators with the necessary skills and knowledge they should have about navigation of the inland waterways.
“When WABOTAN was starting operation, I told them that they need to ensure that they put their money where their mouth is, ensure that they do all they have said they will do. It gives me great joy that it has not been up to two months and they are doing this initiative,” he said.
Speaking earlier in his opening speech, the President of the association, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun said that the exercise was necessary because of the usual rush of the ember months in water transportation and the attendant mishaps.
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He however charged the boat operators to take the training seriously for the development of their business and safety of lives and properties on the waterways.
“We are in the ember months now, and it is believed in some quarters that accidents usually increase in December, but we don’t pray for it to happen. So, we are creating safety awareness for our members and place them on high alert” he said.
On his part, Comrade Sunday Avoseh, President, Seaman’s branch, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) urged all stakeholders in the water transportation business to support what WABOTAN is doing.
Avoseh assured that the union has volunteered to sponsor the next round of training programme which would be held by WABOTAN.
Not less than 126 boat operators and ferry service providers participated in the training programme and certificates were issued to them thereafter.
The Saturday training session saw presentation of lectures from NIWA, LASWA, NPA Fire Service Department, NIMASA, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service among others.
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