By Joshua Yousouph
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has intensified its campaign for safer water transportation across the country, declaring that the enforcement of its “No Life Jacket, No Sailing” policy will remain a top priority in efforts to reduce accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The declaration was made during a one-day sensitization and enlightenment campaign organized by NIWA’s Warri Area Office at the NPA Waterside in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State as part of the Authority’s 2026 waterway safety awareness programme.
Speaking at the event, the Area Manager of NIWA, Rufus Oladimeji, said the campaign was aimed at reinforcing safety consciousness among boat operators and waterway users.
According to him, the Authority’s mandate is to ensure the safe navigation of passengers and goods on the nation’s inland waterways, making strict adherence to safety regulations non-negotiable.
“We are here today at NPA Waterside, Warri, with one clear message that will guide all our operations going forward: No Life Jacket, No Sailing,” Oladimeji stated.
He emphasized that the policy is designed to safeguard lives and reduce the incidence of avoidable fatalities on the waterways, urging operators and passengers to make the use of life jackets a routine safety practice before embarking on any journey.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NPA Boat Owners Association, Paul Wilikie, pledged the commitment of boat operators to comply with the safety directives issued by NIWA.
Wilikie assured the Authority that members of the association would continue to support measures aimed at promoting safe and efficient water transportation, noting that adherence to safety protocols remains essential for protecting lives and sustaining the sector.
The sensitization exercise attracted key stakeholders in the maritime and security sectors, including representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, traditional rulers, community leaders, water transport unions, boat operators, and other stakeholders.
A major highlight of the event was the distribution of life jackets to boat operators, a gesture aimed at encouraging compliance with safety regulations and enhancing the protection of passengers using the waterways.
The campaign forms part of NIWA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen safety awareness and reduce water transport accidents through stakeholder engagement, public enlightenment, and stricter enforcement of safety standards across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
