Speaking recently at the just concluded 2014 stakeholders’ conference on the economic use of the Onitsha River Port, Hajia Inna Ciroma, managing director, Niwa noted that the code which is long overdue will also serve as a guide, law on the use of the waterways for operators.
She explained that the need to regulate the use of the nation’s waterways cannot be overemphasized considering the security challenges that have been facing the nation in recent times.
Interestingly, Tayo Fadele, general manager, public relations department, Niwa said the agency will still have to contend with several layers of approval before the code will come on stream.“Besides the approvals that NIWA is waiting to get, the authority will also have to carry its relevant agencies along in the entire process. The code when finally approved will stem the indiscriminate use of the waters and check mate the excesses of illegal dredgers", he pointed out.
Confirming the development, Engr Olusegun Balogun, General Manager in charge of the Marine department of the authority said that the Inland Waterways Transportation Code is still being drafted. The Code according to Balogun will not only bring about safety on the waterways, it will regulate the use of all river crafts and vessels operation within the land waterways in Nigeria.“Apart from rules and regulation on the use of the waterways, it will also contain penalties for violation as it ill deal with the issue of overloading, not wearing of live jackets", he said.
Balogun explained that all relevant stakeholders will sensitized before the Code is put into operation as every necessary steps will be taken to ensure that everything about the Code is put in proper perspective.
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