• Thu. Feb 13th, 2025

Oyetola Sets Up Special Committee To Address Rising Boat Mishaps In Nigeria

Concerned about the alarming rate of boat mishaps across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has inaugurated a Special Committee to review and improve the operations of commercial boat transport. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting with heads of agencies under the Ministry in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, Oyetola emphasized the urgency of addressing the recurrent accidents, describing them as a matter of national concern. He noted that the primary objective of the committee is to develop actionable strategies to minimize the incidents and enhance safety for waterway users.

The Special Committee is chaired by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, with other members drawn from key agencies, including the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. D. Mobereola; the Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Prof. S. Abiodun; and the Executive Director of the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), Dr. A.M. Sule. Also on the committee are Dr. B.D. Olaosebikan, Principal of the Federal College of Fisheries and Freshwater Technology (FCFFT); Prof. B. Fakinlede, Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister; and Mr. A. Offie, Deputy Director of Inland Waterways, who serves as the committee’s secretary.

The committee’s mandate includes reviewing current boat transport operations to identify causes of mishaps and assess compliance with safety and security standards. They are also tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to enhance the safety of commercial boat operations and proposing standard design specifications for commercial boats. Additionally, the committee will consider other measures to create a safe and viable waterway transport system capable of addressing the persistent problem of boat accidents.

The committee has been given 21 days to complete its work and submit a detailed report to the Ministry. Oyetola expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver practical solutions to improve the safety and security of Nigeria’s waterways.

This initiative reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to protecting lives and fostering a sustainable and efficient marine and blue economy in Nigeria.

Hyacinth Beluchukwu Nwafor

Hyacinth Beluchukwu Nwafor is a seasoned journalist and the CEO/Founder Belch Digital Communications, publishers of Hybrid News Nigeria.

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