By DIANA OMUEZA

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has constituted a 7-man Special Committee to review the operations of commercial boat operators in coastal and inland waterways across the country.

This was disclosed in a statement by Mrs Anastasia Ogbonna, the Director of Information and Public Relations of the ministry on Thursday in Abuja.

Oyetola, during a meeting with heads of maritime agencies, said that the committee had 21 days to complete the review assessment assignment and submit a comprehensive report to the ministry.

He said that It had become a matter of urgent concern, hence the need to proffer solutions to reduce boat mishaps to the barest minimum.

?The committee was constituted with a view to addressing incessant boat mishaps across the country.

?It is expected to review and come up with recommendations and actionable plans that will checkmate the menace.

?The committee has the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji as chairman, with members drawn from the various agencies under the ministry,? he said.

The minister said that the terms of reference to guide the committee included the review of the existing commercial boat transport operations and assess.

He said that boat mishap and its causative factors; current boat operations safety and security compliance; and existing boat specifications in relation to acceptable standards would be reviewed.

Oyetola said that the committee would also develop a comprehensive plan to address the findings from the assessment and guarantee safe commercial boat transport operations in coastal and inland waterway.

He said that It would also develop standard design specification for basic categories of commercial boats for coastal and inland waterways.

The minister said that the committee would also consider any other related measures and issues as may be deemed appropriate for safe and viable commercial boat operations.

These, he said, would address incessant boat mishaps. (NAN)