Maritime
Association Blames NIWA For Boat Mishaps In Nigeria
The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters has blamed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and other regulatory bodies for boat mishaps in the country.
This is in reaction to the incessant boat accidents in the nation’s waterways that have claimed lots of lives.
Specifically, the Association decried the loss of over 212 persons in the nation’s waterways within a space of seven months across the country.
The group said the boat mishaps took place between March to October, 2022 within which over 212 persons lost their lives.
National President, Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters, Tope Fajeninokun, stated this to newsmen in Lagos.
“The expectation which has been our yearning is the training and retraining of boat operators. Some of them are secondary school certificate holders.
“For instance, ask NIMASA, how many driving license they have issued boat drivers this year, you will discover that it is extremely low. What about the logs and wrecks on our waterways?
“We can see glaring improvement as to the removal of the wrecks from the waters, but they are not doing enough.
“When you train boat operators at six months interval, it refreshes their brain,. Monitoring of boat operations and training of drivers should be at the forefront”, Fajemirokun said.
“So far this year, 22 fatal boat accidents have been reported in 13 states”, he said.
The states include Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Jigawa, Katsina and Kebbi.
Others are Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe respectively
He likened the cause of the accidents to non adherence to safety measures,
Fajeninokun noted that the first fatal boat accident in 2022 was recorded in Yauri, Kebbi State in March when four siblings drowned after a boat ferrying them, their father and two other passengers across the river to their farm capsized.
The most recent fatal mishap, he said, occurred in Lagos on Sunday, October 23 when a boat with four persons capsized, and only one of them survived.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
NPA Warns Against Illegal Containers Stripping On Port Access Roads
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has warned against the illegal stripping of containers by drivers and terminal operators along the port access road.
Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, issued the warning during a visit to Tin-Can Island Port where he inspected designated container stripping yards around the port.
He warned that truckers caught in the act stand the risk of being delisted from the electronic call-up system platform managed by the Trucks Transit Parks (TTP).
Bello Koko said container stripping on the port access road violates operational guidelines and will no longer be condoned.
He also announced that NPA has rolled out standard operating procedures for barge operators.
Maritime
BMTA Urges FG To Fix Moribund Refineries
Following the incessant hikes on petroleum pump price in the country, Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to fix all the moribund refineries to production capacity
The Association said the repairs of the refineries would reduce the high cost of petrol pump price and alleviate poverty in the land.
Safety officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Dume, stated this to TheTide during an interview in Port Harcourt.
Dume, who decried the hardship ordinary Nigerians were facing, said boat users hardly travel by water due to high cost of transport fare.
He said a boat journey from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island now cost between N6000 and N6500 per passenger, making it difficulty for travelers to board boats to and from their home town.
According to him, if the pump price keeps skyrocketing, there is every tendency that boat fare may be increased from N6000 to N8000 per passenger this Christmas season
He further noted that the inability of the Federal Government to repair the refineries has brought untold hardships, hunger and suffering to homes.
“Cost of living has skyrocketed everywhere and everyday, the poor can no longer go to market, parents can no longer pay bills and most children have dropped from schools due to poverty and hardships”, he stated.
He lamented that most boat operators were no longer in business due to high cost of procuring spare parts, engine oil and patrol to power their boats.
Comrade Dume appealed to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to see reasons and fix all the moribund refineries for use to end hardship and poverty ravaging the land.
He noted that the repair of the refineries by this administration “would bring succour and confidence to an average Nigerian”.
Maritime
Customs Partners Copyright Commission To End Piracy
In a bid to end all forms of piracy and other social vices, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to end piracy of intellectual and creative property in Nigeria.
Customs said their collaboration would create opportunities for the two parties to establish a significant legacy that will end the menace of piracy in the country.
Comptroller General, Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while receiving members of the Commission at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
He explained that the NCS had concluded plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, enhancing its programmes in all aspects through creative activities and training of its staff.
On the need to organize training for the Service’s officers in combating piracy, Adeniyi said, “the programme will introduce officers and men of the Service to new values and expertise that would enhance their capacity and morale to fight piracy”.
The Comptroller General, who noted the importance of the collaboration, said protecting creative and intellectual property significantly contributes to the country’s economic growth.
Earlier, leader of the delegation and Director General, NCC, Dr. John Asein, expressed his appreciation to the NCS for the importance of addressing piracy of intellectual and creative property.
“The idea behind paying this courtesy visit to you, Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was to congratulate you on your appointment and to extend our hands for collaboration to end piracy”, he stated.
The DG further explained that “apart from strengthening the creative skills of officers and men in various sectors, the commission would achieve its mandate by working with the NCS”.
-
News4 days ago
Fubara, Wike Feud’ll Be Resolved Soon, Akawor Assures …As Aaron Takes Over At Rivers PDP
-
SMEs4 days ago
DBN Secures €25m From Bank For MSMEs, Renewable Energy
-
News2 days ago
Afenifere Urges FG To Meet Dec Refinery Repair Deadline
-
News4 days ago
COVID-19 Reduced Primary School Teachers By 29% -UBEC
-
Politics4 days ago
2023 Elections Brought Nigeria’s Worst Court Judgments -Bwala
-
Rivers2 days ago
ACOMIN Urges Govt To Commit To HIV, Others
-
Ict/Telecom4 days ago
Cybercrime:Expert Recommends Homegrown Solutions
-
News2 days ago
No Room For Internal Sabotage In NDLEA, Marwa Warns New Cadets