House of Reps to tackle incessant boat mishaps

The member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on National Inland Waterways, Hon. Pst. Ojotu Ojema has assured Nigerians that the Green Chamber would do all it could to end incessant boat mishaps along the country’s waterways.

Ojema gave the assurance on Wednesday, 8th November, 2023 in his speech during the inaugural meeting of the House Standing Committee on National Inland Waterways at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The lawmaker, in a statement by his media aide, Olikita Ekani, said the maiden meeting heralds the official takeoff of the activities of the committee.

He noted that there had been several reports of boat mishaps across the country, resulting in deaths of many people.

He vowed to tackle the menaces holistically through effective legislations and oversight of relevant agencies under the purview of the committee.

He added that the committee would oversight the Ministry of Blue Economy and other parastatals under its jurisdiction.

Ojema assured his colleagues that under his leadership, they would give the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, and other marine stakeholders the needed support so that the agency could make the nation’s waterways navigable.

Hon. Martins Esin (PDP, Akwa-Ibom) in his contribution during the meeting, stated that the responsibility placed on the committee is enormous due to the dwindling revenue generation of NIWA as an agency.

He noted that NIWA is a foremost government agency, adding that revenue generation should be taken up by the committee in its meeting with the establishment.

Also in his contribution, Hon Lanre Oladebo (PDP, Osun) said that the committee should work towards ensuring that relevant government agencies enforce the use of live jackets in water transportation.