Port Harcourt – The Nigerian military, Police and other security agencies have commenced a collaborative search and rescue operation to mitigate the increasing incidence of boats mishaps on the waterways in Rivers.
The security outfits involved are the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), National inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), NIMASA and NEMA.
Commodore Desmond Igbo, the Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in Port Harcourt announced this during the commencement of the Search and Rescue Simulation Exercise (SAR SIMEX) on Thursday.
He emphasized that the exercise was part of the ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s waters from internal and external threats and to save lives at sea.
“The Search and Rescue Simulation Exercise (SAR SIMEX) is occasioned by the increased rate of boat mishaps and several casualties recorded in waterways, including Rivers state.
“The navy is keeping with its constitutional mandate of ensuring the safety and security of the nation’s maritime environment.
“We mobilized relevant maritime stakeholders to implement a search and rescue procedure to address this challenge,” he said.
He said that the exercise was part of the strategy to support the reactivation of emergency search and rescue teams of the state government.
“The need for the navy to save lives at sea, in addition to protecting oil and gas assets in the maritime environment, prompted this exercise.
“The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla mandated us to conduct this exercise in collaboration with other security agencies as it is our responsibility to protect lives and properties on the waterways.
“As a result, we have deployed our naval gunboats and ships to the creeks in preparation of any emergencies,” he added.
Rear Adm. John Okeke, the Commander of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), stated that the exercise would evaluate the navy and other security agencies’ responses to emergency situations.
He expressed optimism that SAR SIMEX would improve safety on the waterways and in still confidence in passengers.
“The event, which boost the morale of the disaster response units of all emergency responders’ agencies, marks another milestone for the navy and NNS Pathfinder,” he remarked.
Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers lauded the navy for making efforts in securing and protecting lives in the maritime domain and hinted at plans to revitalize the State Emergency Management Agency.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, Fubara recalled the heroic act of Joe Blankson, a Rivers indigene, who sacrificed his life to rescue 14 persons from a boat accident in 2018.
“So, we appreciate the navy for organising the simulation exercise and emphasizing the collective responsibility we all have in ensuring the safety and security of the waters,” he stated.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP Olatunji Disu, assured that the maritime police were prepared to partner other security outfits to enhance rescue operations in the creeks.
Mr Bernard Ekawu, the Port Harcourt Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) stated that the agency had established search and rescue centres across its area offices.
“To ensure safety, we prohibit night sailing; boat overloading, the use of rickety boats, and sailing without life jackets.
“Therefore, all waterway users must adhere to safety protocol before they are allowed to sail on the nation’s maritime environment,” he emphasized.
