House Committee Promises To Tackle Waterway Accidents Through Legislation

The House of Representatives Committee on Inland Waterways says it will use legislation and oversight activities to address the root causes of boat mishaps in the country.

The Chairman of the Committee Hon.Ojema Ojotu gave the assurance during the inaugural meeting of the committee in Abuja

He noted that there had been several reports of deaths resulting from boat mishaps in the country and assured that through effective oversight of the relevant agencies of government and adequate legislations, it would be tackled by the committee holistically.

He also stated that the House Committee is to oversee the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its agencies except those under the jurisdiction of other committees, the Inland Waterways, the National Inland Waterways Authority and the budgets.

A member of the committee, Hon.Martins Esin (Akwa-Ibom, PDP) stated that the responsibility placed on the committee is enormous due to the dwindling revenue generation of waterway agencies.

He noted that National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is a foremost revenue government agency adding that revenue generation should be taken up by the committee in its meeting with the agency.

Also in his contribution, Hon Lanre Oladebo (Osun,PDP) said the House Committee should work towards ensuring that relevant government agencies enforce the use of live jackets in water transportation.

The Committee Chairman, Hon Ojema assured members that under his leadership, they will give NIWA and other marine stakeholders the needed support so that the agency can make the nation’s waterways navigable.