Mariner Urges NIMASA To Certify Boat Operators In Rivers

L-R:Acting Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Revenue, Mrs Elizabeth Isofi, Customs Area Comptroller Oyo/Osun Area Command, Mr Temitope Ogunkua and Deputy Comptroller (Adm), Mr Abdulsalam Hassan, at a news conference on the activities ot the Command, recently.

As a step towards
ameliorating sea  piracy, boat accidents and the need to have a data base, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Eastern Zone, has been called upon to register and certify  all boat operators in Rivers State.
A Mariner, Capt Desmond Darrick Saipi,  made the call  in a chat with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Tuesday.
Saipi, who is also the Managing  Director of Daizy Marine Service Ltd, said such registration and  certification would regulate maritime activities on the waterways in the state.
He explained that NIMASA  and other  relevant agencies should always ensure the safety  of all genuine and qualified boat operators by having their  data and also organize regular training to sensitize them  on  the need to obey rules and regulations such as wearing of safety jackets and avoid over loading as well as over speeding at sharp bends.
According to him, the certification of boat operators plying the  creeks in the state would ensure professionalism and safety as well as reduce accidents on the waterways.
The mariner said having  a data base of all boat operators would enable the apex maritime regulatory body enhance its capacity in line with global best practices, adding that it would enable  them know the genuine boat operators in case of see piracy, robbery or accident on the waterways for timely rescue missions.
Saipi also called for training of boat operators including sea farers on marine pollution prevention and other programmes aimed at removing wrecks from the waterways to curb unnecessary avoidable accidents.
He also appealed to the government and other relevant authorities to carry out safety awareness  campaigns for boat operators and other water users, so as to ensure full confidence on marine transportation in the state.

Collins Barasiemey