Experts in the maritime and safety sector have urged the Federal and state governments to improve the inland waterways transport system and make it safe for navigation. The call was made Friday at the maritime summit hosted by students of the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos.
The summit tagged “Nigerian Maritime Industry Beyond 21st century ‘ described our waterways as dangerous zones. Guest lecturer and director of Safety Training and Education in the Lagos State Safety Commission, Adeyinka Adebiyi, said that the inland waterways were not safe enough to attract investors into the sector.
He noted that wreaks in Nigeria’s inland waterways must be cleared to improve navigation for ferries and commercials boats. Speaking on ‘safety: a way of life’, Eng. Badmos Jamiu urged Nigerians to see safety as a way of life and take precautions against accidents and workplace harm.
“A lot of Nigerians had lost their lives because they were not safety compliant. If you want to take safety to the next level, we have to create more awareness. We have to see safety as a culture. We need to avoid carelessness. Tomorrow is your reward for working safely today.”