The National Inland Water
ways Authority (NIWA) has donated life Jackets and other materials to boat operators in Rivers State.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony and safety Awareness Campaign held at the NIWA Dockyard, Marine Base, Port Harcourt on Wednesday the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma, said the gesture was to help educate stakeholders on how to keep the waterways safe at all times.
Ciroma hinted that the Authority would soon come out with an internationally acceptable safety codes that would establish offices and penalties on using the inland waterways.
She disclosed that relevant stakeholders were recently invited to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on a seminar to deliberate and suggest the way forward towards realizing the objectives of a safety code on the waterways, adding that no state government has right to control the inland waterways as it is the exclusive right of NIWA, mandated by the Federal Government.
It is very important to let all our stakeholders know that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) was created via Decree No 13 of 1997 now CAP 47 of the National Assembly Laws”, she said, pointing out that they are mandated to improve and develop inland waterways navigation for the nation, provide an alternative made of transport for evacuation of economic goods and persons across the nation as well as provide regulations for the Inland waterways sub-sector and also ensure the development of infrastructure facilities for the inland waterways including carrying out the dredging of the Nation’s Rivers for effective navigation, among others.
The Managing Director also reiterated that NIWA had the mandate of the Federal Government to register all boats and ferries and warned all those impersonating into the rights of NIWA to desist forthwith citing a recent court judgement in Lagos.
She enjoined all stakeholders to adhere to the marine safety rules and always wear life jacket before boarding a boat, ferry and excess passengers, any locally made boats above ten years to be replaced and only trained and certified captains should operate boats and terries.
The standard regulations allow ferries to move from 6am -6pm. It is dangerous to travel after 6pm, consumption of alcohol before and during boat ride is prohibited and should be avoided All Passengers and not only the captains must be safety conscious and alert, All ferries, boats and canoes should be registered with NIWA Area Office in Port Harcourt, and stakeholders on the waterways should not hesitate to bring their complaints or observations to the Area Office of NIWA in Port Harcourt and finally, boat operators should avoid over – Speeding, if our boat operators can adhere strictly to these Ten commandments, there will be sharp decline in boat mishaps in Rivers State, Ciroma posited.
In his speech, the State chairman of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Jonah Jombo, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Godwin Dominic expressed appreciation to NIWA for the gesture to make its members safety conscious and called on NIWA to make it an annual event.
Jumbo said MWUN is ready to associate with the Authority and charged them on rapid response on piracy by providing gun boats to patrol the waterways, and assured that members would make use of the life Jackets Judiciously as well as adhere to the safety awareness tips by NIWA.
Stakeholders  from all walks of the life graced the occasion.

Collins Barasimeye

Managing Director, NIWA, Hajiya Tina Maryam Ciroma (right) presenting safety jackets to the Vice Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State Council, Comrade, Godwin Dominic, during the 2014 NIWA Safety Awareness Campaign at Port Harcourt NIWA Dockyard, Marine Base last Wednesday. With her is NIWA General Manager, Corproate Affairs, Mr, Tayo Fadile. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken