The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has advised authorities at the federal, state and local government levels to criminalize boarding of boats without life jackets.
The Islamic organisation in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Thursday, advised the governments to invest more on modern and safe ferries.
MURIC also appealed to government to introduce coast guards and waterways services in all 774 local governments in the country.
The group noted that the measures are necessary in order to tackle the incessant boat accidents across the country.
MURIC Executive Director, Professor Isiaq Akintola, in the statement, lamented the rate of boat accidents across the country, calling on governments at all levels to do the needful.
He noted that many Nigerians have lost their lives as a result of boat accidents this year.
According to him, one of the measures to reduce boat accidents in the country is to criminalize boarding of boats without life jackets.
Akintola said, “In view of the fact that these boat accidents were caused by private sector commercial boat operators who use rickety old boats, Nigeria’s federal, state and local governments should invest in modern ferry transportation as obtained in Lagos State.
“Boarding boats without life jackets or operating commercial boats without providing them should be criminalized and all 774 local governments in the country should train personnel for coast guard and waterways services.”
