By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In response to escalating waterway mishaps, marine expert Mr Saheed Adesanya emphasizes the urgent need for a National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Act review. Adesanya asserts that granting states control over their inland waterways is essential to curb recurring accidents and enhance safety standards.
Despite NIWA’s exclusive waterway control, its inefficiency in regulating boat activities and enforcing safety measures has led to hundreds of fatalities monthly.
Adesanya highlights recent incidents, including a tragic capsize in Niger and wooden boats mishaps in Bonny Rivers, underscoring the pressing need for regulatory improvements.
In the first two weeks of January 2024 alone, multiple accidents claimed lives, largely attributed to overloading, careless driving, poor boat maintenance, and a lack of life jacket usage.
Adesanya emphasizes these lapses as a result of regulatory non-compliance, urging a comprehensive review of the NIWA Act to address these systemic failures.
Adesanya urges the National Assembly to revisit the NIWA Act, aligning it with the concurrent legislative list.
Proposing shared regulatory authority between the Federal Government and states, he argues that empowering at least 30 coastal states, including Lagos, to oversee their waterways will enhance safety through strict adherence to procedures and robust enforcement.
Drawing parallels with tax collection, Adesanya advocates for a similar approach in waterway regulation, emphasizing the collaborative jurisdiction between the Federal Government and states.
By doing so, he contends, a more comprehensive safety net can be established, fostering secure water transportation across the nation and safeguarding lives.
