By Our Reporter
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has issued an alert on the rising water levels across rivers and lagoons in the country.
In a related development, the National Emergency Maanagement Agency (NEMA) has also activated its operationl offices across the country towards supporting states in conducting assessment within their area of responsibilities to carry out rescue operations.
In the warning notice about rising river levels issued by NIWA’s management; the authority noted that its gauge readers had confirmed the latest development adding that this poses danger to unregulated water transportation across the nation.
The authority advised boat operators and passengers to ensure they adhere strictly with the laid-down safety procedures. It vows to enforce strict compliance with sfety regulations particularly the use of life-jackets by bot operators and passengers.
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The sttement reads: ”Consequently, the authority call on all persons living in the river banks across the country to start planing to relocate to highergrounds to avoid the loss of lives and properties in the advent of flood.
”Specifically, the boat operators and passengers are advised to take note of the rising tides and ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the inland waterways, including compulsory use of life-jackets always. The Inland Waterways transportation regulations 2023 hasbeen gazettednd compliance shall be enforced,” the notice declared.
Meanwhile, the NIWA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, disclosed that all the authority’s zonal, territorial and operation offices across the country have been activated in furtherance of the agency’s proactive flood risk management.
The NEMA zonal, territorial and operation offices are located in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Ekiti, Mina, Jos, Enugu, Edo, Owerri, Uyo, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Gombe and Yola.
NEMA search and rescue officers have been deployed across the states and providing the desired support in coordination of rescue operations with SEMAs and other stakeholders.
