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NIMASA Warns Boat Owners Against Illegal Operation
Nigeria’s apex mari
time regulatory authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has warned boat operators and users who do not have the permission to use boats on Nigeria waterways to desist from doing that, because it is a clear violation of the laws of the eland.
NIMASA’s Zonal Coordinator, Mr Kunle Olayiwola who handed down the warning in Warri, Delta State, directed boat operators in the creeks to stay away from Nigeria waterways.
Speaking to journalists on his resumption of office, Mr Olayiwola, expressed dismay that some of the operators used substandard boats.
He warned that anyone caught operating without NIMASA’s authorization would face the full wrath of the law as enshrined in the provisions of the NIMASA Act 2007.
He said henceforth, boat operators plying the creeks in the zone must be certified by the agency to ensure proefessionalism and safety.
“The whole idea is to bring about professionalism and standard in the trade as well as reduce accidents on the waterways,” he said.
He enjoined the Delta State government to set up a taskforce that would sensitise the people on the need to wear safety jackets and avoid overloading.
According to him, the agency was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring secured shipping, clean oceans and enhanced maritime capacity, in line with global best practices. NIMASA had organised training programmes for seafarers on Marine pollution prevention and removal of wreckage from the waterways.
Mr Olayiwola explained that the agency had been encouraging indigenous shipping and training youths on international seafaring, pointing out that the initiative was informed by the need to use the trainees to replace the ageing ones.
“The young seafarers trained in Singapore, Malaysia and parts of Europe will take over from the ageing ones. NIMASA is helping people to get international certificates. With this, there will be many qualified master mariners in the country in the next 10 years,” he said.
He, however, disclosed that some state governments had not cooperate with the agency in carrying out safety awareness campaigns in their states.