Oyetola Set Up Committee to Tackle Frequent Boat Mishaps
The Honourable 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 the country.
In a meeting today 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.
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 Mr. D. Mobereola DG-NIMASA, Prof. S. Abiodun ED-NIOMR and Dr. A.M Sule ED-NIFFR. Others are Dr. B.D. Olaosebikan P-FCFFT, Prof. B. Fakinlede, TA-HM-FMMBE and Mr. A. Offie DD-IWW (Secretary).
The Terms of Reference to guide the Committee according to Anastasia Ogbonna, Director, Information & Public Relations, include
a. Review the existing commercial boat transport operations and assess:
i. Boat mishaps and its causative factors;
ii. Current boat operations safety and security 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 is expected submit a comprehensive report to the Ministry within 21 days.