In the Nigerian Marítime sector, one major challenge that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is finding a quick closure to is the challenge of incessant boat mishaps on the nation’s Inland waterways.
Nigeria, with over 10,000 kilometers Inland Waterways with only 3,000 navigable, has made so much investment in the inland waterways sub-sector to generate employment, contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) but currently to no avail due to the constant loss of lives and properties due to mishaps which has made it unattractive to investors and users.
For instance, report has shown that about 1,429 Nigerians have died as a result of various boat mishaps in the last four years.
Findings showed that the northern part of Nigeria with the lowest water levels had the highest number of casualties, with experts attributing the incidents to poor craft maintenance, night voyages, and archaic craft. Such boat accidents often leave a trail of woes in their wake.
In 2024 alone, Lagos experienced 21 casualties; Adamawa had 28 casualties, Niger 30, Kwara 100, Niger 169, Delta 5, Zamfara 40, and Kano 3 among others.
However, to end these incessant mishaps, the federal government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, set up a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.
The Committee was tasked with conducting an in-depth review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying the root causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.c
According to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the need to urgently stem the tide of tragic boat mishaps, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and property, necessitated the committee.
Describing the country’s waterways as vital to commerce, transportation, and livelihoods, the Minister stressed that the safety and efficiency of the nation’s Inland waterways are paramount to the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
“The task before us is daunting, but with unwavering commitment, we can eliminate boat mishaps and ensure that our waterways remain safe, navigable, and prosperous for generations to come,” Oyetola stated.
However, to augment the Minister’s commitment to proffering lasting solutions to the incessant boat mishaps in the country, the Maritime Academy Of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, on Monday embarked on a two-day Safety Awareness Workshop For Boat Operators and Users, titled, ‘Harnessing the Opportunities of Marine and Blue Economy with Safety of Inland Waterways Transportation in Perspective,’ held at Oron Beach, Akwa Ibom state.
The safety awareness campaigns were to sensitise operators, users and boat skippers on the responsibility and use of the nation’s Inland Waterways.
Speaking at the sensitisation workshop, the Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, said the program was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu for the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people, especially people involved in riverine and inland waterways transportation.
“We are here to communicate to you the programmes of the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people, especially people involved in riverine and inland waterways transportation. We are also here to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under the leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola, is committed to implementing the priority projects of Mr President for the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people, in particular the people that operate boats and use boats for transportation on our inland waterways.
“Mr President requires that all Ministries and their agencies should hold stakeholders/citizens engagement to inform the citizens of government programmes to serve them better and also receive feedback on their experiences and expectations from the Government.
“This workshop is therefore organised by MAN, Oron in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in line with Mr. President’s directive and as part of the programme of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure safety on our inland Waterways.
“As you may be aware, in the recent past, so many Nigerians have lost their lives and properties on our inland Waterways, including the popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, due to ignorance and possible non-adherence to safety practices as required by the NIWA and contained in approved guidelines for safety on Nigeria’s waterways.
“This is why the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the NIWA are embarking on a nationwide Inland Waterways Safety Awareness Campaign. The Campaign has already been taken to several jetties in Nigeria to sensitize citizens on Government laws/guidelines and necessary safe practices to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s Inland Waterways transportation system and also donate approved lifejackets to promote the safety practices. We are encouraged by the drastic reduction in the incidents of boat accidents on our inland waterways since the campaign began.
“MAN is happy to collaborate with NIWA to bring this workshop to Oron Beach with the same purpose of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, that is the engagement of the people for the promotion of safety on Nigeria’s Inland Waterways and prevention of boat accidents as well as boosting trade and industry in our riverine and coastal areas.
The Acting Rector further urged the operators to work directly with the academy to train boat skippers and operators on power-driven small craft-speed boat – operation and outboard engine maintenance, among others.
The academy that, however, donated 25 life jackets to the operators in the first instance and also promised to donate more in nearest future should they use the recently donated life jackets diligently.
“We are also donating 25 life jackets to the boat operators with the promise to make more donations in future when we are encouraged with the good use of the set of life jackets to be donated today.
“I also want to encourage the boat operators at Oron Beach to work closely with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria for the training of their members in the relevant courses available at the Academy, including Power Driven Small Craft (speed boat) Operation and Outboard Engine Maintenance, etc. We have the plan to subsequently collaborate with our partners and stakeholders and take this workshop to other riverine and Inland Waterways jetties/beaches within the State and beyond to achieve the same stated objectives,” he stated
Also speaking, the managing director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, said the nation’s Inland Waterways hold immense promise for catalyzing economic growth across multiple sectors.
Oyebamiji who was represented by the authority’s General Manager, Marine, Engr. Dakio Horsfall said NIWA is seriously committed to unlocking the full potential inherent in the nation’s Inland waterways.
“Our nation is endowed with an extensive inland waterway network spanning over 10,000 kilometres, yet only about 3,000 kilometres are currently navigable year-round. These waterways hold immense promise for catalyzing economic growth across multiple sectors, including trade, tourism, fisheries, energy, and industrial development.
“However, to fully harness these opportunities, we must collectively address the safety challenges that continue to impede the optimal utilization of our inland waterways. At NIWA, our mandate is clear: we are committed to unlocking the full potential of our waterways through capital and maintenance dredging, river training works, and the development of ports, piers, jetties, ramps, and navigational aids.
“Additionally, our ongoing efforts in water hyacinth removal, wreck clearance, bank stabilization, and the implementation of modern mapping, charting, and buoyage systems are all geared toward fostering a safe, efficient, and navigable inland waterway network,” Oyebamiji stated.
The NIWA boss further lamented that unsafe water transportation not only jeopardizes businesses and discourages investment but, most critically, endangers lives.
He argued that with collaboration and strategic interventions, the nation’s Inland waterways can still be positioned as a leading force in the global maritime industry.
“Despite these efforts, persistent safety concerns remain a significant barrier to realizing a thriving marine and blue economy. Unsafe water transportation not only jeopardizes businesses and discourages investment but, most critically, endangers lives. Yet, I am confident that with collaboration and strategic interventions, we can mitigate these challenges and position Nigeria as a leading force in the global maritime industry.”
“I commend the Management and Staff of MAN-Oron for facilitating this engagement, providing a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and partnership building. As we seek innovative solutions and best practices that will shape the future of inland waterways transportation in Nigeria, I wish to emphasize that safety is a collective responsibility, one that extends beyond government agencies to include private sector stakeholders, boat operators, passengers, local communities, and the public at large.
“Together, through sustained collaboration, investment, and regulatory enforcement, we can ensure a secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable inland waterways transportation system,” he ended.
However, the Marítime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Akwa Ibom State chapter, appreciated the sensitization and awareness workshop, saying it will go a long way in reducing mishaps on the waterways.
According to MWUN Secretary, Akwa Ibom State, Com. Sunday Edidiong, the program was the first in the history of the academy.
“I appreciate the Acting Rector. It has never happened before. We have so many Rectors that have come and gone, but this sensitisation program is a good news to us. This program is what we have been expecting. we have expected it a long time ago, but thank God it eventually came and this is at the right time.”
“The Rector also donated 25 life jackets and promised to do more. This geature will alleviate the situation, and sincerely, it is a good move that will better transform the inland waterways sub-sector in the country,” the union leader said.
Also speaking, the unit Chairman, MWUN, Aqua Jetty, Oron Beach, Akwa Ibom, Com. Efe Ongbete, identified the importance of the sensitisation workshop, saying boat operators operating under his unit haven’t seen such sensitisation in a long while.
“Since we started this place, we have not seen this kind of sensitization. MAN Oron is the first institution and Dr Okonna is the first Rector to organize this for us. We hope they can increase the number of life jackets for us,” he urged.
Lastly, Com. Ongbete called on the government to ensure constant sensitisation of boat operators and skippers across the country to forestall mishaps in the nation’s Inland waterways.
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