As part of measures to curb incessant boat mishaps and loss of lives and properties, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says seven years jail term await boat operators and owners of jetties who breach safety regulations.
Area Manager, NIWA, Mrs. SaratBraimah, disclosed this at Ovori while presenting life jackets to Ibeshe, Guasu Communities in Lagos State during an awareness campaign.
Braimah, who was on a sensitization programme to some riverine communities in the State, said the newly gazetted Transport Code of the Federal Government is part of efforts to curb the incessant loss of lives caused by non-compliance to waterways regulations.
According to her, the Ministry of Justice has just gazetted a new waterway regulation, which stipulates seven years imprisonment for community leaders who operate jetties at night, and private operators where boats are overloaded after 7pm.
“The same penalty goes for operators and passengers who fail to use lifejackets and are non-compliant to waterways regulation.
“We are here to rub minds with your community in order to curb boat accidents and incessant loss of lives.
“You can tell us where the government has lapses so we can improve, while we work together to remove the human problems.
“Most boat accidents are results of human elements, which is not far from non-compliance to regulations.
“We have repeated it severally that there should be no night sailing from 7pm. It is better to stay alive and travel the next day than to endanger your life at night.
“Boat drivers should have licenses because training is key. Don’t patronize unregistered boats and unnamed boats. There will be NIWA stickers to identify the registered boats”, she said.
The NIWA boss also warned drivers not to drive boats without paddles as they would be unable to ferry such boats to the nearest shore if the boat’s engine suddenly fails.
She cautioned drivers on dangers of   overspeeding, driving recklessly, and making use of leaking boats, driving without passenger manifest and fire extinguishers.
Engr. Braimah who directed the seizure of substandard life-jackets found at retail stores around the communities, described substandard lifejackets as deadly.
Earlier, the Youth Leader, Sagbo-Koji, Mr Bobby Sanni, advised the Authority to co-opt youths in the community in its task force, noting that Marine Police and NIWA Task Force officials close duty at jetties by 6pm, but youths could help in the enforcement at night.
Communities visited includesSagbo Koji in AmuwoOdofin, Irede in Oriade and Ibeshe, all in Lagos.

By: Chinedu Wosu