Lagos, Benue boat mishaps: NIWA vows to punish erring operators

Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja

Following the recent frequent boat mishaps, the Managing Director of Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA) Dr. George Moghalu has vowed to punish erring boat operators who abuse safety Measures put in place to guide their operations.

The MD, gave the warning in a press statement signed by Jibril Dauda
Acting General Mamager (Corporate Affairs) and made available to newsmen on Friday in Lokoja

He said non-adherence to rules and regulations guiding water transportation would be pinished.

Moghalu said it has become necessary in view of the recent avoidable boat mishaps in Lagos and Benue States which claimed lives of innocent Nigerians.

“The Authority is hereby warning all boat operators in the country to adhere strictly to inland waterways transportation safety guidelines.

“The Authority is sad with the recent (avoidable) boat mishaps in Lagos and Benue States that claimed so many lives as a result of flagrant violation of Inland Waterways Transportation Safety guidelines,” he said.

The Managing Director commiserated with the families, people and Government of the affected states and warned boat operators to adhere strictly to NIWA safety guidelines or be sanctioned.

Moghalu, however, disclosed that his reform agenda for the inland waterways transportation system in the Country is to eradicate boat accidents across the waterways in the country.