The Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria (ACWCN) has appealed to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enforce marine transport safety regulations in order to avert incidents such as the recent boat accident that claimed the lives of some Nigerian film actors in the River Niger, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The State Chairperson of ACWCN, Odede Dinikpete Tina, made this appeal in Yenagoa on Monday while reacting to the tragic death of Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, and four other actors last week, adding the death of the promising actors could have been avoided if they were wearing life-jackets during their journey.
She also commended the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for launching an investigation into the boat accident that claimed the lives of the actors, identified as Paul Odonwodo, Abigail Frederick; Precious Oforum, and Joseph Anointing, noting that the investigation will help review the operational procedure for commercial speed boats and assessment of compliance with relevant safety standards and regulations for inland waterway transportation.
Speaking further, Dinikpete said that the lack of enforcement of safety rules along waterways has led to the untimely death of many persons across coastal communities in the country, saying that she was involved in a similar boat accident some years ago and that she survived because she was wearing a life-jacket at the time the incident occured.
She said “I am appealing to the National Inland and Waterways Authority (NIWA) to put strong safety regulations on boating activities in Nigerian waters nationwide to prevent further boat accidents in the future.
“Some of the safety regulations should include, all boat drivers should be trained and licensed. There should be compulsory wearing of life jackets by boat drivers and passengers travelling along the waterways. There should be yearly survey and approval of boats for water transport worthiness.“
ALSO READ: Junior Pope: Gov Eno orders exhumation of makeup artist buried by riverside