The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to take decisive steps in enforcing waterways safety laws and prosecuting offenders who put lives at risk.
This call comes against the backdrop of several recent fatal boat accidents in Niger State and other parts of the country, which have sparked calls for urgent reform of the inland waterways transport sector.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on safety and security concerns in rural water transportation at his palace in Bida on Wednesday, the royal father expressed deep frustration over the recurring loss of lives in boat mishaps, which he said are largely preventable if regulations are adhered to.
Alhaji Abubakar decried a pattern of indiscipline among some boat operators and passengers, including habitual overloading of vessels, transporting goods far beyond capacity, and neglecting the use of life jackets. He warned that these unsafe practices, coupled with a lack of enforcement, continue to cause tragedies on Niger State’s rivers and waterways.
“We cannot continue to watch our people die in accidents that could have been avoided. The government must not only issue safety directives but must ensure strict enforcement and prosecute anyone who violates these laws,” he declared.
The monarch drew parallels between unsafe boating and the dangers of overloaded road vehicles, noting that just as buses crammed with passengers and luggage can lead to fatal accidents, boats weighed down beyond their limit are disasters waiting to happen. He stressed that every passenger should be provided with a life jacket and compelled to wear it before departure.
According to him, enforcement must be more than a symbolic exercise. He urged the government to deploy trained safety officers at departure points along major waterways, tasked with inspecting vessels, monitoring passenger compliance, and stopping any operator who fails to meet safety standards.
Alhaji Abubakar also highlighted the role of community participation, calling on traditional leaders, youth groups, and transport unions to join the campaign against recklessness on water. He said community vigilance is vital because most waterways transport activities occur in rural and riverine areas where government monitoring is often limited.
He noted that while government officials often arrive to console victims after accidents, the real solution lies in proactive safety enforcement that prevents such incidents in the first place.
“Our focus must shift from condolence after disaster to prevention before disaster. That is the only way to save lives and protect the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
The Etsu Nupe further appealed for public awareness campaigns to educate passengers on their rights to safety and their responsibility to comply with safety instructions. He maintained that passengers also share blame when they board unsafe vessels without protest.
