SAFETY ON THE WATERS: EVALUATING COMPLIANCE AND CONDITIONS IN BAYELSA STATE’S INLAND WATERWAYS

This study sought to examine the safety conditions and compliance level of inland water transportation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used to select three waterways and six waterfronts (two in each senatorial district of the state) where Questionnaire, personal interviews and physical field observations were used to gather data from the field. The rivers sampled include; Forcados, Nun and Brass rivers. Multiple regression, t-test as well as simple statistical techniques were employed in analysing the data. The findings revealed that most of the drivers do not use alcohol and drugs during work hours. The results of the study also revealed that little or no training is usually conducted by regulatory agencies for the drivers. This poor state of training thus justifies the fact that the boat drivers were not aware of the safety practices and regulations placed by authorities in the study area and this has drastically affected their level observation of safety practices. The study revealed a high frequency of use of water transport by the respondents which indicates that, this mode of transportation has great potential of being widely adopted, if greater attention is given to its development by both the government and private sector. However, despite this level of patronage, the results of the study indicated that most of the boat operators are not aware of the safety procedures and regulations placed by authorities in the study area and this has drastically affected the observation of safety practices as compliance is seen to be low. The study recommends that NIWA and the maritime unions should ensure proper monitoring and enforcement of penalties to riders that carry beyond the capacity of their boats and ferries. Stringent fines and sanctions should also be imposed on riders that are caught sailing during bad weather and thunderstorms. Government can also partner with private companies and multinationals operating within the area in providing more comfortable house boats (covered boats) in order to reduce the inconveniences encountered if sailing and rain starts falling.