By Comrade Francis Bunu Abi
The Maritme Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) lauds
the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Honourable Adegboyega Oyetola (CON), for his recent pronouncement on the banning of Wooden boats from operating on Nigerian Waterways; given the incessant accidents claiming lives of passengers in their numbers annually.
The Minister who was very furious on the matter cited negligence, carelessness and lack of knowledge for obeying safety regulations as stipulated by the federal government of Nigeria. It would be recalled that the government through its safety regulating agencies had severally cautioned boat drivers and passengers as it were 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.
The fierce Labour Activist and the foremost Maritme Labour leader in the country says the Minister’s action was prompt to curb this incessant death of persons resulting from their insensibility, as both boat drivers and passengers do not comply on the safety measures which traveling along the Waterways, as deaths could have been avoided if safety regulations were being duly observed.
The Maritme Workers’ Union PG, Comrade Bunu further explained that water transportation would have been the safest, fastest and enjoyable means of transportation within our Waterways, to avoiding cumbersome road traffic, if all the precautionary measures were been adhered to, but in this case, the country has so far witnessed bunch of reckless and unlawful boat operators and drivers, who have constantly refused to obey laws, causing pain to the families of those passengers, who lost their lives to night travels, without wearing life jackets while on board. 
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 in tatters, rickety and not suited for operation.
Comrade Bunu also urged the federal government to seek a lasting solution towards the menace of boat drivers not just the Wooden Category alone but as it affects the
Fibre Boats too, who engage in excessive speed and are also part of the damage on our 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
