The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has taken decisive action to address the escalating number of fatal boat accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways. A series of tragic incidents in recent months, resulting in significant loss of life, has prompted NIWA to implement immediate and stringent measures aimed at enhancing safety and preventing future tragedies. These measures represent a significant shift in policy and enforcement, targeting key contributing factors to waterway accidents, such as unauthorized loading points, lack of life jackets, and the operation of unlicensed vessels and personnel.
The core of NIWA’s new directives focuses on regulating loading procedures. Recognizing the dangers posed by ad-hoc and unregulated loading zones, NIWA has imposed a complete ban on loading activities at all unauthorized points across the country. Commercial passenger boats are now exclusively permitted to embark and disembark passengers at designated locations officially recognized and registered by NIWA. This measure seeks to ensure that loading operations are conducted under controlled conditions, minimizing risks associated with overcrowding, instability, and inadequate passenger management.
Furthermore, NIWA has mandated the mandatory use of life jackets for all passengers aboard commercial boats. Boat operators are now responsible for providing life jackets and ensuring their proper usage throughout the journey. This directive acknowledges the critical role life jackets play in saving lives during capsizing incidents, particularly in situations where immediate rescue may be challenging. In addition to life jackets, commercial passenger boats are now required to clearly display their Boat Name Letters and Load line, facilitating identification and monitoring of vessels on the waterways.
The crackdown extends beyond passenger safety to address the operation of unlicensed vessels and personnel. NIWA has issued a directive for the removal of all unlicensed boats and watercraft from the waterways. This measure aims to eliminate substandard and potentially unsafe vessels that may not meet required safety standards. Concurrently, all unlicensed boat drivers and operators are prohibited from operating any vessels on the waterways. This action seeks to ensure that only qualified and certified personnel, equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge of waterway regulations, are in charge of navigating the waterways.
The urgency of NIWA’s intervention is underscored by a series of devastating boat mishaps that have occurred within the past six months. These incidents, primarily attributed to overloading, adverse weather conditions, and collisions with submerged objects, have claimed numerous lives and highlighted the vulnerability of passengers on Nigeria’s inland waterways. In April, a boat carrying traders capsized on the Niger River near Sokun Village, resulting in an unspecified number of drownings. The accident, attributed to a sudden storm, emphasized the dangers of river travel during unpredictable weather events.
In July, another tragedy unfolded on the Shiroro River, where a passenger boat carrying approximately 40 people, along with rice and livestock, collided with a submerged log and capsized. While 26 passengers wearing life jackets were rescued, the incident tragically resulted in the loss of 15 lives, with three more individuals remaining missing. This incident highlighted the importance of life jackets in enhancing survival rates and the potential hazards posed by submerged debris. In August, two separate accidents occurred in Sokoto State, further emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures. One incident involved a heavily loaded boat ferrying passengers and motorcycles to a market, resulting in numerous casualties.
Most recently, in September, a boat carrying mourners capsized on the Malale River in Niger State, claiming the lives of over 27 people. This tragic incident, occurring just weeks after NIWA’s new directives, further reinforces the critical need for strict enforcement and adherence to safety regulations. The recurring nature of these accidents across different waterways underscores the systemic challenges facing inland waterway transportation in Nigeria, highlighting the need for comprehensive and sustained efforts to improve safety. NIWA’s proactive measures, while a crucial step, require consistent implementation and public cooperation to effectively reduce the risks associated with waterway travel and prevent future tragedies.
