The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has established a special committee to evaluate the activities of commercial boat operators in coastal and inland waterways in response to the frequent boat accidents occurring nationwide. This initiative was announced during a meeting in Abuja with heads of agencies in the ministry. The Minister emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue and finding effective solutions to minimize boat mishaps. The committee, chaired by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, consists of members such as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. The committee’s mandate includes reviewing current commercial boat operations, investigating causes of boat accidents, ensuring safety compliance, and setting standards for boat specifications. Their goal is to create a comprehensive plan to enhance safety in commercial boat transport operations and establish design specifications for different types of boats used in coastal and inland waterways. The committee will also address any other relevant issues to improve the safety and sustainability of commercial boat operations. A deadline of 21 days has been set for the committee to deliver a detailed report to the ministry.
FG inaugurates committee to tackle boat accidents
