Blessing Obinwa
25 October 2009
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has warned the Ilaje community of Ondo State to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and pollution on the water.
Warning was handed down to the people during the awareness campaign on maritime safety and pollution control embarked upon by the agency in the state.
The move was aimed at curbing the incessant accident in the waterways. It was learnt that over 1,000 passengers are being exposed to death daily due to lack of life saving equipment such as life jackets, life buoys and abuse of right of ways in the narrow creeks.
At the state capital, Akure, the Commissioner for Transport, Otunba Niyi Omodara told NIMASA that the state would support the awareness campaign to further avoid loss of lives in the riverine communities.
Also at Igbokoda, the Vice Chairman of the Ilaje Local Government , Mr. Richard Temituro told NIMASA officials that some life had been lost in the sea due to lack of safety equipment.
He explained that people were being disturbed by hurricane on the sea.
He said: "Your coming to Ilaje is a blessing to Ilaje people."
Reechoing him, the Secretary of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in the state, Mr. Ayeye Akinbowale explained that water hyacinth, weeds, nylon and pure water sachet dumped in the water were the major cause of accident in the area. He also explained that fishermen and operators of smaller craft were occasionally disturbed by storm.
He urged NIMASA to assist the communities to clear their water ways.
At the Igbokoda jetty, NIMASA team leader, Mr. Dejo Taiwo, assistant director, Radio Survey advised the fishermen and operators of Power Driven Small Craft (PDSC) in state to stop indiscriminate dumping of waste in to the water.
He listed the equipment that must be carried by the boat operators to include torch light or means of light signal, high pitch horn or whistle, six buoyant paddles and sea anchor.
Taiwo said that their crafts must be surveyed annually and licensed accordingly by the surveyors in the agency.
According to him the law requires that every boat must be licensed by the agency.
Administration and Safety Agency has warned the Ilaje people of Ondo State to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and pollution on the water.
It was at the awareness campaign on maritime safety and pollution control embarked upon by the agency in the state.
The move is to curb incessant accident in the waterways. It was learnt that over 1,000 passengers are being exposed to death daily due to lack of life saving equipment such as life jackets, life buoys and abuse of right of ways in the narrow creeks.
At the state capital, Akure, the Commissioner for Transport, Otunba Niyi Omodara told NIMASA that the state would support the awareness campaign to further avoid loss of lives in the riverine communities.
Also at Igbokoda, the Vice Chairman of the Ilaje Local Government , Mr. Richard Temituro told NIMASA officials that some life had been lost in the sea due to lack of safety equipment.
He explained that people were being disturbed by hurricane on the sea.
He said: "Your coming to Ilaje is a blessing to Ilaje people."
Reechoing him, the Secretary of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in the state, Mr. Ayeye Akinbowale explained that water hyacinth, weeds, nylon and pure water sachet dumped in the water were the major cause of accident in the area. He also explained that fishermen and operators of smaller craft were occasionally disturbed by storm.
He urged NIMASA to assist the communities to clear their water ways.
At the Igbokoda jetty, NIMASA team leader, Mr. Dejo Taiwo, assistant director, Radio Survey advised the fishermen and operators of Power Driven Small Craft (PDSC) in state to stop indiscriminate dumping of waste in to the water.
He listed the equipment that must be carried by the boat operators to include torch light or means of light signal, high pitch horn or whistle, six buoyant paddles and sea anchor.
Taiwo said that their crafts must be surveyed annually and licensed accordingly by the surveyors in the agency.
According to him the law requires that every boat must be licensed by the agency.
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