NIWA Still In Charge Of Inland Waterways Safety – Operators

Boat operators and waterways stakeholders have reaffirmed that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) remains the statutory body responsible for inland waterways safety and navigation in Nigeria, despite recent public debate over a Supreme Court judgment on waterfront land control.

The Supreme Court had recently ruled that certain provisions of the NIWA Act relating to adjoining waterfront lands are unconstitutional to the extent that they extend beyond navigation-related purposes.

The Court, however, maintained that the federal government cannot exercise blanket control over waterfront lands within states that are not directly linked to navigation activities.

The judgment has sparked widespread interpretation within the maritime and inland waterways sector.

However, stakeholders have clarified that it does not strip NIWA of its core regulatory responsibilities over inland waterways transportation, safety management, and navigation infrastructure.

Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act, which empower the Authority to regulate navigation safety, channel management, and waterways transportation, remain fully valid and unaffected by the ruling.

Speaking on the development, the acting managing director and chief executive officer of NIWA, Umar Yusuf Girei, stated that the apex court upheld the agency’s statutory responsibilities in relation to inland waterways navigation, safety regulation, channel maintenance, river infrastructure development, and promotion of inland water transport.

Girei explained that Sections 12 and 13 of the Act, which relate to land matters not directly connected to maritime or navigation activities, were only voided to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.

He stressed that the judgment does not remove NIWA’s core mandate.

He also urged stakeholders and operators to remain calm, law-abiding, and await the Certified True Copy of the judgment for full legal clarity.

Reacting to the development, the national public relations officer of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN),  Raymond Gold, said NIWA remains the only legally recognised authority responsible for regulating inland waterways navigation.

According to him, the ruling should not be misinterpreted as weakening NIWA’s regulatory powers.

He noted that activities such as jetty approvals, boat operations, and navigational safety enforcement still fall squarely under NIWA’s jurisdiction.

Similarly, the secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), Ayomikun Aworetan, said the judgment clarifies constitutional boundaries rather than removing NIWA’s authority.

He maintained that operators will continue to seek approvals for jetties, dredging activities, and waterway operations that directly relate to navigation, stressing that safety remains the priority.

Aworetan also called for stronger enforcement against illegal jetties and unsafe boat practices, urging stakeholders to collaborate to improve safety standards on Nigeria’s inland waterways.