NIWA Vows To Flush Out Quack Boat Drivers In Delta

By Oasis Magazine
National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA on Monday vowed to flush out quack boat drivers from its waterways in Delta State.

This is one of the measures being taken to ensure the safety of lives and property as well as reduce water/river accidents in our waterways,

The Unit Head of Marine Department in NIWA, Engr. Ipimoroti Adeleye, made this known at a training organized for boat drivers in Warri.

Adeleye said quack boat drivers will not be allowed on the waterways again.

Adeleye noted that NIWA will soon embark on patrols stressing that it will not tolerate any excuses when its fully out to enforce its safety rules.

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He urged the relevant marine companies to send in their staff (boat drivers) for the training organized for NIWA, to help train them and keep the waterways safe from accidents and others.

Mr. Innocent Ohwotuemuhor, a trainer with Lufredha Academy said the boat drivers must avoid alcohol and drugs (controllable & uncontrollable) if they must they must drive.

According to him, “Alcohol will impair your judgements when driving. You’re not supposed to be on drugs.”

Ohwotuemuhor also advised the boat drivers to ensure that their passengers always wear life jackets before entering the boats for any trip bearing in mind all safety rules applicable to NIWA.

He said the boat drivers should always move with their communication gadgets whenever they embark on any journey especially during critical times as well as know the weather condition before doing same.

Earlier in an address, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Dr. (Chief) George Muoghalu said the training programme for the boat drivers was in collaboration with LUFREDHA Academy.

Dr. Muoghalu who was represented by the Warri Area Manager, Engr. Mohammed Dangana, said, “This 5-day programme is open to all eligible power boaters crew boat, cruising and racing skippers as well as commercial fishermen.

“The training is structured to be conducted by experienced captains of marine industries, all experts in their field to provide novice and experienced boat operators with information and skills required to prepare for inland navigation, boat preparation, handling heavy weather etc.

“On-the-water demonstration will include quick stop and man overboard recoveries, and flare procedures.”

The Chairman of the event, Barr. Sonny Sidadi-Kadiri appreciated NIWA in collaboration with Lufredha Academy for the training and retraining of boat drivers to maintain an acceptable safety standard are obtainable anywhere in the world.

“It is to ensure that the basic requirements for safety of life and property, along the waterways are not compromised. We look forward to the water demonstration or drill which will include quick stop; man overboard recoveries and flare procedures. These demonstrations, though entertaining, are for the safety of lives.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Lufredha Academy, Tonlagha Rosemary said the training for the boat drivers will help greatly in reducing accidents and others on the waterways.