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Safe Festive Travel: NIWA’s Safety Alert for Waterway Users
By prince Benson Davies
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has issued a safety alert, urging Nigerians to prioritize safety on the nation’s waterways. The alert comes as NIWA announces a deadline for boat recertification, emphasizing the need for boat operators to adhere to safety guidelines.
The statement, which was made public on Wednesday, 18th December 2024, serves as a reminder to boat operators and stakeholders to comply with the regulations and guidelines outlined in the Transportation Code 2024.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) stressed the need for boat operators and passengers to strictly follow safety measures to prevent avoidable accidents at all times, warning against reckless passenger boat drivers who are wont to flouting safety guidelines.
The guidelines outlined that boat operators have been directed to avoid overloading their boats beyond approved limits and are required to provide functional life jackets to passengers, free of charge.
Recalled that NIWA under the present administration has redoubled efforts at raising the travel safety bar through engagements and sensitization programs, seeking compliance with waterways travel safety codes and guidelines.
Unfortunately, boat users appear unwilling and/or careless about safety procedures and often ignorantly allow unscrupolous boat operators to expose them to dangers and death through overloading, through reckless sailing, and through traveling at night, outright disallowed by the authority.
The Lagos regional office also recently embarked on the removal of water hyacinths to pave the way for free navigation, while the authority continues to be stricter with compliance to ensure that violations are brought to the barest minimum.
