The Inland Waterways Authority has vowed to punish erring boat operators who abuse safety measures put in place to guide their operations.

The Managing Director of the Inland Waterways Authority, Dr George Moghalu, in a statement by the acting General Manager (Corporate Affairs), Jibril Dardau, on Friday, said non-compliance to rules and regulations would be punished.

The NIWA boss added that the sanctions had become necessary, in view of the recent avoidable boat mishaps in Lagos and Benue states, which claimed the lives of innocent passengers.

He said, “The authority is hereby warning all boat operators in the country to adhere strictly to inland waterways transportation safety guidelines.

“The authority is sad with the recent (avoidable) boat mishaps in Lagos and Benue states that claimed so many lives as a result of flagrant violation of Inland Waterways Transportation Safety guidelines.”

Moghalu commiserated with the families, people and governments of the affected states and warned boat operators to adhere strictly to NIWA safety guidelines or be sanctioned.

He noted that his reform agenda for the inland waterways transportation system in the country was to eradicate boat accidents across the waterways in the country.