The Association of Bonded Terminal Operators of Nigeria has said that despite the government’s efforts to tackle waterway accidents, poor enforcement of safety regulations may still put so many lives at risk.
The General Secretary of ABTON, Haruna Omolajomo, stated this in a recent chat with journalists in Lagos.
Omolajomo maintained that as a regulatory agency, the National Inland Waterways Authority must strengthen its enforcement of safety standards “across all jetties and collaborate with state governments to ensure a more efficient monitoring system.”
He stressed that a fragmented enforcement approach would only continue to lead to accidents and avoidable deaths.
He mentioned that although the number of NIWA marshals had been increased from 80 to 350 to manage flashpoints along the waterways, the figure remains grossly inadequate.
“How can 350 marshals effectively monitor 10,000km? This means one marshal is expected to cover 28.5 kilometers, which is practically impossible,” he said.
Omolajomo advised NIWA to either recruit more marshals or collaborate with state governments to provide additional personnel.
He noted that at least 20 to 30 states could be actively involved in a joint patrol system that would enhance enforcement and allow for quick response to incidents.
He also called for a review of the NIWA Act to enable states to participate in the regulation and control of waterways within their jurisdictions.
According to him, this overdue legislative update would be lifesaving and would give states the authority to support NIWA in maintaining safety on the waterways.
Omolajomo also urged the agency to closely monitor its personnel to ensure they do not compromise on safety standards.
The ABTON scribe advocated for the introduction of a Safety Operations Procedure document that would be made available to every boat operator.
“In addition, regular checks should be conducted on both boat operators and passengers to ensure compliance with safety protocols.”
He underscored the need for NIWA to work in synergy with other maritime and security agencies operating on the waterway to improve enforcement.
