By Chidi Ugwu
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON has constituted a Special Committee to review the operations of commercial boat operators in Coastal and Inland Waterways with a view to addressing incessant boat mishaps across thecountry.
In a meeting on Thursday in Abuja with Heads of Agencies overseen by the Ministry, Oyetola, noted that it has become a matter of urgent concern, hence the need to proffer solutions to reduce it to the barest minimum.
Anastasia Ogbonna, the Director of Information & Public Relations, in a statement, noted that the Committee is expected to reveiw and come up with recommendations and actionable plans that would checkmate the menace.
The Committee has the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji as Chairman. Others members are as follows:
i. Mr. D. Mobereola DG-NIMASA (Member);
ii. Prof. S. Abiodun ED-NIOMR (Member);
iii. Dr. A.M Sule ED-NIFFR (Member);
iv. Dr. B.D. Olaosebikan P-FCFFT (Member);
v. Prof. B. Fakinlede TA-HM-FMMBE (Member); and
vi. Mr. A. Offie DD-IWW (Secretary).
The Terms of Reference to guide the Committee include but not limited to:
a. Review the existing commercial boat transport operations and assess:
i. Boat mishaps and its causative factors;
ii. Current boat operations safety & sbecurity compliance; and
iii. Existing boat specifications in relation to acceptable standards.
b. Develop a comprehensive plan to address the findings from the assessment and guarantee safe commercial boat transport operations in Coastal and Inland Waterway;
c.. Develop standard design specification for basic categories of commercial boats for Coastal and Inland Waterway; and
d. Consider any other related measures/issues as may be deemed appropriate for a safe and viable commercial boat operations in our coastal and Inland waterway transport system that would address incessant boat mishaps.
The Committee has 21 days to complete the assignment and submit a comprehensive report to the Ministry..
