Cargoes on barges need insurance cover – NIWA boss

* Harps on mass sensitisation of water travelers

By Silas Onuoha

The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, has said cargoes being conveyed with barges through waterways need insurance.

Dr. Moghalu made this known during media parley in Lagos.

According to him, Having insurance cover for cargos on barges becomes crucial to prevent importers from losing their investments in case of any unforeseen occurrence.

Giving explanation on
how this could be achieved, Dr.Moghalu said that NIWA is discussing with barge operators in the maritime industry on insurance cover, which will be appropriate for cargoes on board barges.

According to him, aside protecting losses in any accident situation, having insurance cover to protect investments will encourage more importers to transport their goods through water, this he said will ease too much pressure on the roads and decongest the ports as well.

On boat mishaps, Dr.Moghalu revealed that NIWA will embark on mass sensitisation of travelers on water and boat operators using radio and religious organisations to disseminate information to riverine communities.

Also, he mandated
all Area Managers of NIWA to sustain the on-going sensitisation exercise across the country, in order to prevent incessant boat mishaps on the waterways.

The NIWA MD frowned at the bad practice by some passengers boarding boats without using life jackets meant for safety if accident occurs on water.

Going further, the NIWA boss revealed that 90 percent of boat mishaps often occur mainly at night and early hours in the morning. As such, NIWA has no option than to ensure total stoppage of night traveling to avert boat accidents.