A mariner and one-time
member of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Rivers State, Comrade Tom Peterside has called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to consider Rivers State in the distribution of their recently acquired seacoast boats because of the state’s terrain.
Peterside, who barred his mind in a chat with The Tide in Port Harcourt on Wednesday said it was a cheering news from the Lagos  State Area Manager of NIWA that the authority had acquired some seacoast boats to the Lagos waterways, saying that such gesture should be replicated in Rivers State because of its vast riverine communities and their activities.
According to him, the Federal Government’s presence within the riverine communities through NIWA would further give the people a sense of belonging and ensure a spread of the dividends of democracy because of the difficulties   they face in travelling to their areas.
He said such sea coast boats when introduced in this part of the country would boost transportation, reduce cost of travelling to the riverine communities, ensure safe and faster transportation, saying that with the contributions of Rivers State to the sustenance of the nation’s economy, the state deserved such facility to further cushion the effect of their perceived long period of neglect by previous governments.
He further noted that the impact of NIWA was not felt in the state either in terms of clearing of ship wrecks, water hyccients among others of its functions, stressing that the procurement of the seacoast boats for Rivers State communities at the riverine areas and waterways could also curb insecurity in the areas as host of the people would be meaningfully employed, thereby reducing crime and criminality in the waterways.
Peterside also called for security patrol boats to be stationed at strategic points along the waterways inorder to also curb the activities of sea pirates.