| Aziz Idris |
ALL water taxi operators have been urged to remind their passengers to comply with the standard safety regulations, especially wearing safety life jacket.
This was stressed by Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi, the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications on the sidelines of a handing-over ceremony of used life-jackets from Mashhor General Contractor Sdn Bhd to some 40 water taxi operators in Kampong Ayer recently.
He said water taxi operators should be role models to passengers by wearing their safety life jacket at all times regardless of the travel distance.
Asked if there have been any increase in the number of operators and passengers wearing life-jackets since a recent campaign, Dr Haji Supry told the Sunday Bulletin, “The majority of the water taxi operators have complied with the regulations to wear life jackets.”
Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (PBMP) has warned that action will be taken against any water taxi operator who do not comply with the safety regulations and ignore the safety of the public.
It also reminded water taxi operators to comply with the speed limit of the boats.
In addition, the authority had continuously reminded owners and operators of water taxis to register with the PBMP if they had not done so.
And those who fail to comply with the safety regulations are not allowed to provide any transport services to the public.
However, Dr Haji Supry was quick to note that majority of passengers are still not wearing life jackets.
“We want the water taxi operators to do their part and inform their passengers the importance of a safety life-jacket. Safety is everyone’s business and we will continuously work with the relevant agencies to tighten the regulations and conduct awareness campaign to ensure the safety and well-being of the public,” he added.
During the event, Dr Haji Supry together with representatives from PBMP joined the Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs from Mashhor General Contractor, Haji Osman bin Haji Omar, to hand over the used life jackets to the water taxi operators.
According to Haji Osman, Mashhor General Contractor has worked closely with the PBMP to conduct safety campaigns in the wake of a recent drowning incident in Kampong Ayer.
He called on other companies to step forward and do their part to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
The handing-over ceremony of used life-jackets was held at the jetty of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, Bandar Seri Begawan.
Members of the public are also advised to only board water taxis registered with the PBMP.
For more information and enquiries, members of the public can contact the enforcement section through phone at 8721347.
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