A marine safety consultant, Igwe Charles Nwoye, has called for  the enactment and effective implementation of marine safety laws in the Niger Delta region to address of marine disasters which  are incessant in the region.

Igwe Nwoye who gave the charge during an exclusive interview with The Tide  in his office last Wednesday  said  the  Niger Delta region by its aquatic nature was prone to marine disasters which he said had claimed lives on daily basis.

He noted that the absence of good  regulatory  policies on Niger  Delta waterways was had led  to the abuse of marine  operations with fatal consequences.

Igwe  Nwoye pointed out that, “to avert disasters on our water ways, every marine station, or operational boats, should  be equipped with mobile  facilities, such as life jackets, coast guards, and immergency  response  team.”

He attributed deaths on our waterways to the absence  of such facilities and emphasised that all boats operators should be issued qualified licences  which should be subject to periodic  renewal.

According to the expert, marine related deaths are not only on  our highway  but also occur in public  swimming  pools, which are mostly managed by  unqualified  persons, such as hotel stewards.

He regretted a situation were National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), only gives relief packages to victims  when such disasters would have been avoided, and called on the government of the Niger Delta States to accord prime attention to marine safety policies and regulations.

According to him investment in marine safety would also create jobs for the teaming youths of the region, through training as safety operators.

Taneh Beemene