The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on the federal government and its agencies to enforce strict regulations on boat operators.
They also urged them to ensure regular maintenance of vessels, and impose penalties for safety standard offenders to end the current incessant boat mishaps in the country.
At a press conference organized by the association in Lokoja on Tuesday, the national secretary general NAPS Comrade Agada Noah, said it has become imperative to tackle the root causes of these preventable boat accidents to avert more death along water transportation system.
He said aside the effort of National Inward Waterways Authority (NIWA) in sensitizing the riverine communities, boat users and other stakeholders, the federal and state governments, legislators as well as relevant agencies should prioritize safety awareness campaigns to support NIWA.
“Grassroots sensitization must be intensified, educating citizens on the importance of adhering to safety measures while using water transportation.
“We urge the national assembly to legislate for increased budgetary allocation to the maritime and inland waterway sectors. This funding should focus on enhancing the safety infrastructure, providing better equipment for emergency response, and recruiting more trained personnel” he appealed.
Speaking further, the national secretary general of the association, urged the federal government to should expedite the means of facing out wooden boat and replacing it with modern ones, advising that the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy through the federal government should pay more attention to NIWA by increasing budgetary allocations and increase manpower to meet up with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While calling on the federal government to hold people accountable for waterways accidents or any form of mishap, negligence or breach of waterways safety precautions, the association also urged the national assembly members from the riverine areas to collaborate with the water transporters in providing modern facilities, campaigns and sensitization to reduce accidents.
“Therefore, as the representatives of the younger generation, we remain committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of Nigerians. We enjoin relevant authorities to ensure that proactive measures are taken to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies.
“The loss of even a single life is too many. Let this mishap be a turning point in our collective resolve to ensure that no Nigerian has to die needlessly due to preventable factors”
