From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government says it is stepping up efforts to improve maritime safety along its inland waterways across the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known at a meeting with the chairman and members of the state’s Steering Committee of the Maritime Safety Taskforce in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, noted that the state government was deeply concerned about the occurrence of boat mishaps in the state that had often resulted in fatalities.
The Deputy Governor, who emphasized that the task force on the maritime sector was set up with a view to fully implementing maritime laws and regulations, called on boat drivers to obey the safety rules to prevent boat mishaps.
He warned that those who flout the rules would be punished according to extant laws to serve as a deterrent to others.
Consequently, the deputy governor charged the task force to work closely with all relevant security agencies to enforce maritime laws and regulations in the state.
According to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, Bayelsa was the first littoral state to create the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, shortly after the Federal Government did so, to fully harness the abundant resources in the marine environment of the state.
His words: “As a government, we are worried about the incessant boat mishaps on our waterways. You know that Bayelsa is the leading light among the littoral states because it is the first to create a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy after the Federal Government.
“And so, we are now taking some measures to make our waterways safer. Yes, we know there are some inevitabilities, but we also believe some of the accidents are avoidable.”
The Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Faith Zibs-Godwin; Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei; the Permanent Secretary, marine ministry, Elder Olali Jonjon, and the State Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Ogoniba Ipigansi, attended the meeting.
Other members of the Steering Committee in attendance included Captain J. Ayim-Odu of the Nigerian Navy, CSP Arusu Ufuomanefe representing marine police, Dr Omodu Happy Pere-ela, head of legal department; Engr. Kenisuomein Saiyou, Head, Technical Operations, and Mr Omonigbalibo Bolou, NIMASA enforcement officer.