The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says it is doing a lot to ensure the incessant loss of lives to boat mishaps is minimised, if not completely stopped in Niger, Kogi and other parts of the country.
The NIWA Managing Director, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the authority was taking some drastic and pragmatic measures to curb the incessant
mishaps in the country to save innocent Nigerians from untimely deaths.
The managing director disclosed that most of the deaths recorded on the waterways in Nigeria were due to the non use of life jackets by travellers on the waterways.
He said that was what necessitated the massive distribution of the jackets as part of measures to curb the menace and ensure safety on the waterways.
Oyebamiji said,”We began with distribution of thousands of life jackets in the Gbajibo community in Niger after a boat mishap last year.
“This year, we continued in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Transport, Marine and Blue Economy, launched the distribution of 42,000 jackets in Niger.”
He said that out of this figure, Bayelsa got 3,500 and unspecified numbers to Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Ogun of recent.
Oyebamiji said, “Aside life jackets, NIWA had organised a retreat in Abuja, inviting all the 36 Commissioners of Transport to find solution to how to curb incessant boat mishaps in the country
“NIWA had also donated water ambulances and patrol boats to Niger and Kwara and four fibre saidboats to Kogi.
“We are trying to partner with fibre boat manufacturers in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, to stop the use of wooden boats in the country by local passenger boat operators to curb the incessant boat mishaps. ”
He said NIWA was laying water bouys across the country as a guide for boat operators.
According to him, already, more than 1,500 bouys of different colours had been laid in parts of River Niger.
The managing director also said the authority had launched its transport code with, under which offenders plying the waterways could be penalised.
Oyebamiji added that the authority had introduced and increased the number of water marshals across the country to enforce the transportation code.
He said that water hyacinths, which were also barriers to water transportation, were being cleared in Omu creeks, Lekki and Ikorodo in Lagos State.
According to him, NIWA recently organised a retreat for management staff on zero-tolerance of boat mishap, all in the effort to ensure safety on the waterways.
“In demonstration of the war against boat mishaps and destruction of lives and property, NIWA has decided to prosecute any boat operator that causes the death of innocent passengers on board.
“Just recently, we sued two boat operators before a Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court over the killing of 19 passengers in kogi state on Nov. 29, 2024.
“The Kogi Police Command, through its NIWA wing, charged Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana, both residents of Lokoja, with conspiracy and negligence that led to a boat mishap that led to the death of 19 out of 60 passengers.
“Their trial was sequel to their failure to exercise due vigilance, in spite of several warnings against night journeys and traveling without life jackets, which we believe might have led to the lives lost, ” he said.
In Niger, the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), also said it was collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and NIWA to enhance water users’ safety.
According to Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, Overseeing Director General of NSEMA, the initiative followed a series of boat mishaps that had resulted in the loss of lives, particularly among traders, farmers, and fishermen.
Hussaini disclosed that the state government had mandated NSEMA, Ministry of Transport, and the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to provide life jackets to boat operators and passengers.
He stated that the move was aimed at reducing the risk of fatalities in the event of boat accidents.
According to Hussaini , the newly established marshals will ensure that boat operators and passengers comply with safety regulations, including the use of life jackets and prevent overloading of boats.
He added that the state government was also working to regulate the activities of boat operators, including the hours of operation and the lifespan of boats.
Hussaini said those measures aimed to prevent boat accidents caused by negligence or poor maintenance.
He said the state government was exploring ways to provide small loans to boat operators, through the Ministry for Micro and Small Medium Agency, to enable them to purchase new boats and improve their safety standards.
Also, Mr Akapo Adeboye, Area Manager in Charge of Niger and Kwara Office of NIWA, said it had intensified efforts to enhance water safety in Niger and Kwara.
He said the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyeba Oyetola, alongside the Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, in collaboration with Niger Government, inaugurated the distribution of 42,000 life jackets to 12 states across the country.
Adeboye said NIWA had begun the distribution of the facilities to boat operators and passengers in the state as part of its safety sensitisation programme.
He said NIWA river marshals had been instrumental in the enforcement of the use of life jackets and ensuring safety protocols as well as laying of buoys to guide water users and indicate safe navigation channels.
Adeboye added that NIWA had gazetted penalty codes for boat operators and passengers who failed to comply with safety regulations, including the use of life jackets for adults and children, who mostly lost their lives during mishaps.
He said NIWA had been sensitising boat operators and passengers to the importance of safety measures, including registration of names of passengers on the cargo manifest.
Adeboye added that NIWA had also provided training on boat repair and maintenance to reduce the risk of accidents.
According to him, NIWA is also planning to form a joint venture with security agencies, including the Marine Police, to enforce safety regulations on the waterways.
Adeboye said, “It aims to achieve zero- tolerance for safety breaches on the water channels.”
