The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has sensitized passengers and boat operators on the need to always adhere to safety protocols when using the waterways.

READ ALSO:NIWA expresses condolence to families of victims of Bayelsa boat mishap

Alhaji Maude Nasir, the Area Manager of NIWA, Kano Area Office, said this on Thursday at Tisa Village in Dawakin-Kudu.

Nasir said that the main objectives of the agency was to regulate, manage, and control the use of inland waterways.

Nasir attributed the recent boat mishap in Kauran Mata, Madobi Local Government Area of the state to overloading and night travel.

He urges operators and passengers to wear life jackets and adhere to safety protocols always.

Nasir stressed that safety on inland waterways differs from land safety and urged boat operators to ensure their facilities were in good condition before operation.

READ ALSO:Bayelsa boat mishap: NIWA expresses condolence to victims’ families

The manager advised operators and passengers to always wear life jackets, adding that it had features to enable users in emergency situations achieve a level of safety.

Nasir assured the people of the community that NIWA would do everything possible to minimize boat mishaps across the country.

Stakeholders, including Hamza Yahaya and Aliyu Ismail emphasized the importance of waterways and called for proper management to maximize benefits.

They commended NIWA for the sensitization and promised to step down the knowledge to others in the commutes.

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