The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says it is making efforts to sanitise the system by ensuring security, safety and adequate protection of lives and property.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NIWA, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Oyebamiji also reassured the public that no stone would be left unturned to champion the constitutional obligations of the authority to achieve its mandate under the umbrella of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The NIWA boss noted that this was in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“Safety on Nigerian waterways remains non-negotiable as the authority is irrevocably committed to nip in the bud the scourge of boat mishaps occasioned by non-compliance with the safety standards by the reckless boat operators and defaulters,” he said.
Oyebamiji, currently in London, attending the 46th Consultative Conference of Contracting Parties in International Maritime Organisation (IMO) headquarters in the United Kingdom, said a lot would be benefitted from the conference.
“Insights at the ongoing conference will further help to improve and develop Nigeria’s inland waterways for navigation as part of the cardinal objectives of the Authority,” he said.
Oyebamiji said by implementing the London Protocol, Nigeria could significantly advance its inland waterways sector, aligning it with sustainable international practices, protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening socio-economic benefits.
“The protocol which has serious implications on the Nigerian maritime sector is centered on issues relating to inland waterways as it shapes environmental practices, safety and sustainability.
“Some of the issues being deliberated on were; environmental protection; strengthened waste management practices; international compliance and standards; capacity building and training.
“Others are: enhanced monitoring and enforcement; support for Sustainable Development Goals and health and livelihood support respectively,” he said.
Oyebamiji joined other stakeholders, intellectuals and experts in the maritime sector across the globe, where they are dissecting the topical issues bordering on Marine Geoengineering; Marine Litter and Microplastics and CO2 Sequestration.
This is in order to decisively tackle critical ocean challenges across the world.
