The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA in its move to reduce the frequent cases of boat mishap in the country has warned boat operators to desist from transporting passengers beyond 7pm or face sanctions.
NIWA Managing Director, George Moghalu who issued the warning at a media interactive session in Lagos, South-West Nigeria said over 90% of boat accidents happens in the early hours of the morning or in the night and most of the vessels do not have navigational lights.
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Moghalu said the Authority has constituted a waterways task force to arrest any boat driver operating beyond the stipulated time.
He added that NIWA would continue to collaborate with other Maritime agencies to secure the Nigerian waterways.
According to him, the Authority has already established nine search and rescue stations in Lagos, Lokoja, Port Harcourt, Yauri, New Bussa amongst others for timely rescue and the establishment of additional three for other locations is ongoing.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
