The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, says the Federal Government is taking action to tackle the growing incidents of boat accidents across Nigeria’s waterways.
The Minister who stated this in Abuja while receiving the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria, declared the Federal Government’s resolve to act on the recommendations presented, adding that the time was ripe for Nigeria to consider deploying coastal guards to complement Nigeria Navy’s efforts along the waterways.
According to the Minister, the safety of the citizens on waterways is not just a policy responsibility of the government but a moral duty adding that every life lost in a boat mishap had become one too many.
Oyetola stated that the report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms and stated the Government’s readiness to study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordinations are required.
He commend the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in safeguarding the waterways but restated his conviction that the Navy cannot do it alone and emphasised the need to involve the coastal guards to help in protecting the waterways and ensure that not every boat or individual are allowed into the nation’s waterways.
The Minister while emphasising the need for a change in public behaviour, especially in the use of life jackets, described the use of safety equipment as non-negotiable and essential for waterways travels in the country.
The minister also revealed the plans of the government to phase out aging and unsafe boats often linked to fatal accidents on the waterways and replacing them with safer, standard-compliant alternatives adding that the fight against boat mishaps cannot be won by the Federal Government alone.
He therefore called on the state governments to collaborate with the Federal authority in enforcing standards and saving lives.
Oyetola further disclosed that he recently approved a nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities and appealed to beneficiaries to use them responsibly and consistently while travelling on water.
Presenting the report to the Minister, Committee Chairman and Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji said the team exceeded its initial six-week mandate to ensure a credible and detailed outcome. The report which was structured in six chapters, presents a comprehensive analysis of existing boat operations, regulatory gaps, vessel design standards and institutional capacity. It also outlines a strategic plan to enhance safety oversights.
“Among the 64 total recommendations, 17 priority actions were highlighted. These include the establishment of a Coastal Guard to enforce waterway regulations; a National Boat Design Policy to standardise permitted vessel types; mandatory certification and training for boat operators; increased funding for NIWA to improve hydrographic and engineering capacity; and deployment of search and rescue stations across critical inland waterways,” the committee chairman said.
