MWUN lauds Oyetola’s move to ban wooden boats, calls for stricter sanctions on reckless operators

The Maritme Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his decisive move to phase out wooden boats from the nation’s waterways as part of efforts to curb incessant boat accidents and loss of lives.

MWUN in a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Francis Bunu described the minister’s intervention as a necessary response to the insensibility and recklessness of operators.

The Union noted that despite repeated warnings from safety agencies, the flouting of regulations especially the ban on night travel has been persistent.

“The government through its safety regulating agencies had severally cautioned boat drivers and passengers to stop engaging on water transportation once it’s 1800hrs; and every passenger on board any boat must put on lifebuoy while drivers must not overload their boats. This very simple but strict safety regulations have always been flouted by boat drivers and passengers as well, which has been the bane of safety on the country’s waterways transportation as both drivers and passengers do not obey the regulations, ” he said.

According to the MWUN PG, water transportation has the potential to be one of the safest, fastest and enjoyable means of transportation, especially as an alternative to congested road network, if all the precautionary measures were been adhered to.

“This mentality of ignoring simple safety rules has blindfolded the boat drivers in all ramifications, and has prompted the severe actions of the Minister to curb this ongoing menace on our Waterways. It’s a lesson for boat owners, drivers and passengers. Most of the boat being used by the operators are rickety and not suited for operation, ” he said.

While applauding the ban on wooden vessels, Comrade Bunu urged the government to extend its oversight to the fiber boats operators who engage in excessive speed and contribute to accidents on the waterways.

“All this anomaly by drivers and operators must be properly put into check by regulators, where any erring driver is caught, the boat owner and the driver should be sanctioned accordingly if the country must ensure decent and safe water transportation,” he concluded.