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 the 2023 inland waterways safety codes and prosecute offenders who put passengers’ lives at risk in the State.
The call followed recent several fatal boat accidents in Niger State and other parts of the country, sparking clamour for urgent reform in 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, saying the incidents were largely preventable with adherence to safety regulations.
Alhaji Abubakar decried indiscipline among some boat operators and passengers, including habitual overloading of boats, transporting goods beyond capacity, and neglecting the use of life jackets.
He warned that these unsafe practices, coupled with lack of enforcement would 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.
The monarch 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.
The Etsu Nupe 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 stressed that community vigilance is vital, noting that most waterway transport activities occur in rural and riverine areas where government monitoring is often limited.
“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 also educate passengers on their rights to safety and their responsibility to comply with safety instructions.
