The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has constituted a seven-member Special Committee to address the rising cases of boat mishaps across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.
According to a press statement signed by the Director, Information & PR) of the Ministry, Anastasia Ogbonna which was made available to our correspondent noted that this development was announced during a meeting held in Abuja with heads of agencies under the Ministry.
Minister Oyetola expressed deep concern over the frequent accidents, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard lives and properties on the waterways. He charged the committee with the responsibility of reviewing the operations of commercial boat operators and developing solutions to minimize the menace.
The committee, chaired by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, includes six other members: Mr. D. Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Prof. S. Abiodun, Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR); Dr. A.M. Sule, Executive Director of the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR); Dr. B.D. Olaosebikan, Principal of the Federal College of Fisheries and Freshwater Technology (FCFFT); Prof. B. Fakinlede, Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister; and Mr. A. Offie, Deputy Director of Inland Waterways, who will serve as the committee secretary.
The team’s mandate includes a comprehensive review of current boat operations to identify the causes of accidents and assess compliance with safety standards. They are also tasked with developing a plan to enhance safety, proposing standard specifications for commercial boats, and considering other measures necessary to improve the viability and security of waterway transport.
The committee has been given 21 days to complete its work and submit a detailed report to the Ministry. Oyetola expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver actionable recommendations to curb the persistent issue of boat mishaps.
