By CHIAZO OGBOLU

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says it will prevail on the Federal Government to phase out wooden boats on the inland waterways.

The Managing Director of NIWA, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, said this during an interaction with the media on Friday in Lagos.

Oyebamiji noted that the phasing out of wooden boats would help to curb incessant boat crashes on the waterways.

According to him, most of the accidents recorded on the waterways are with the wooden boats.

He described this move as the best approach to address boat crashes across the nation.

Oyebamiji said he would be engaging the Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Presidency to make the move a national directive.

?This development will be introduced in phases with short-term, medium-term and long-term goals to ensure inland waterways operations are not severely hampered,? he said.

The NIWA boss noted that the authority had increased its sensitisation at riverine communities, especially with traditional and religious leaders to reinforce grassroots awareness campaigns on safety.

?After launching the Inland Waterways Transportation Code, we moved to engage traditional and religious leaders.

?Subsequently, we increased the number of waterways marshals from 80 to 350 for the enforcement of the transportation code.

?Our experience in Gbajigbo, Niger State, spurred us to engage the Transportation Commissioners across the 24 states with navigable waterways.

?We had a meeting in Abuja and 23 out of the 24 commissioners were in attendance,? he said.

Oyebamiji encouraged state governments with navigable waterways and private sector operators to invest in assets to enshrine safety and efficient operations.

He reiterated the need for inland waterways operators to utilise standard life-jackets and curb nighttime movements across the nation.

?Wrecks are also one of the triggers for boat accidents but we are partnering with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to address this menace.

?However, human errors such as overloading, nighttime travel and inefficient boat driving are more frequent causes of accidents,? Oyebamiji said. (NAN)

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