The Lagos Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority, Sarat Braimah, has warned boat operators to desist from using jetties for illegal activities.
Braimah said this on Thursday at the inauguration of the Ganji Yaka Jetty in Badagry by the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria.
The area manager, who was represented at the event by Shehu Shuaibu, commended the facilitator of the initiative, Joseph Philips, even as he reiterated that the jetty shouldn’t be used to aid anti-developmental activities.
She said that NIWA Lagos area office would mount surveillance on the use of the jetty and others.
Warning boat operators to strictly adhere to the use of the orange coloured life jacket recommended by International Maritime Organisation, she noted that NIWA Lagos office would begin massive enforcement from the month of May.
“NIWA has noticed the growing trend of various colours of life jackets in use by boat operators and hereby sends notice that it will no longer be business-as-usual, as we shall begin enforcement from next month to ensure compliance,” Braimah stressed.
Also speaking at the event, the national president of ATBOWATAN, Mr Gani Balogun, said the jetty was constructed in line with extant safety regulations of NIWA.
Balogun reiterated that under his watch as the president of ATBOWATON, more of such water transportation facilities would be provided by prominent ATBOWATON members across the state.
His words, “As much we appreciate the support given to us to manage some jetties in Lagos by NIWA and the state government, we are unrelenting in our support to provide more jetties to most unreached communities in the state. As veritable partners to national and states water transportation development agenda, ATBOWATON believes that it is part of our mandate to help unlock and link the treasures in most remote communities in Lagos and help drive rural development and create jobs.”
He praised the dedication and sacrifice of the Badagry chapter chairman of ATBOWATON, Mr Tope Fajemirokun, for making Badagry the new bride of water transportation in Lagos.
He added that Gbaji Yeke Jetty would help to address the demand for additional jetty facilities in and around the strategic intra-water transportation ecology between Badagry West, Ogun State and Porto Novo.
Earlier in his welcome address, Joseph Phillip explained that the Gbaji Yeke Jetty initiative was primarily to help open up the community, which is at the heart of Badagry West Local Council.
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