Adegboyegba Oyetola, Nigeria’s marine and blue economy minister, says the federal government is committed to ensuring safety and security along the nation’s inland waterways.

Mr Oyetola made the statement at a safety awareness workshop for boat operators and water transport users in Oron, Akwa Ibom, on Monday.

Represented by Selia Ekanem, the deputy director, Cabotage and Shipping Development, the minister said that water transport was strategic to the economic development of the country.

He said that the essence of the workshop was to equip boat operators with the requisite skills to be safety and security conscious.

The theme of the workshop is: “Harnessing the Opportunities of Marine and Blue Economy with the Safety of Inland Waterways Transportation in Perspectives.”

Mr Oyetola stated that it was the collective duty of every stakeholder to ensure safety within the nation’s inland waterways.

The minister said that the ministry was partnering the National Inland Waterways Authorities and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria to promote water transport safety across the country.

“This crucial stakeholders engagement is timely and key to forging a robust platform of communication and understanding towards ensuring sustainable safety on our waterways.

“This should be a concern for all, let me inform you that regulations aimed at minimising boat mishaps are top on the ministry’s priorities,” he said.

Also speaking, Bola Oyebamji, the managing director, National Inland Waterways Authority, said that the workshop was aimed at exploring the vast potential of the marine and blue economy.

Represented by Dakio Horsfall, general manager, Marine Services, Mr Oyebanji said that safety remained the cornerstone of inland waterway transportation in Nigeria.

He said that the country was endowed with an extensive inland waterway network spanning more than 10,000Km.

The managing director expressed worries that only about 3,000Km of the nation’s inland waterway network was currently navigable year-round.

“Nigeria’s waterways hold immense promise towards spurring economic growth across multiple sectors such trade, tourism, fisheries, energy, and industrial development,” he said.

The acting rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Kevin Okonna, said that the workshop was organised in line with the federal government’s commitment to ensure safety on the inland waterways.

Mr Okonna said that there was need for boat operators and stakeholders in the maritime industry to adhere strictly to safety guidelines to avoid mishaps.

He said that the safety campaign had been taken to several jetties across the country to sensitise citizens to embrace safety practices in waterway transportation.

Sunday Edet, the secretary, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom chapter, described the workshop as enriching and well-intended.

Mr Edet said that the programme had greatly availed boat drivers the necessary skills to operate safely.

“As a union, we shall continue to promote safety rules, we shall continue to ensure that passengers use lifejackets while on board to enhance safety.”

(NAN)