The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in partnership with the Nigerian Navy and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has initiated an intervention to improve waterways safety standards, strengthen marine transport, curb preventable incidents and weak operational oversight in the region.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening marine transport practices, enhancing emergency response mechanisms and accountability, and promoting safer navigation as development activities increasingly depend on water transportation to access remote riverine communities.

The organisation expressed concern that, unlike road transportation where operators can be directly monitored and regulated, marine transportation largely depends on third-party boat operators, exposing commuters and development workers to safety risks arising from poor safety compliance, inadequate emergency preparedness and limited accountability standards.

To address this, PIND convened a two-day boat safety, security and risk management training in Warri for boat operators and jetty personnel drawn from Delta, Bayelsa, and Ondo States.

The training represented a shift from reactive safety measures to a more proactive, system-level approach — targeting risks at their source by strengthening the capacity of those directly responsible for marine operations.

Executive Director of PIND, Sam Ogbemi Daibo, explained that the intervention is aimed at protecting waterways operators and the communities.

Daibo, who was represented by the Security Manager, PIND, Abdulfatai Mohammed, said strengthening skills, awareness and accountability of boat operators is critical to addressing one of the most critical risk points in riverine operations.

He said by strengthening operator competence and standardising safety practices, the initiative is expected to reduce marine incidents, improve emergency response outcomes and enhance overall safety across waterways used by development actors and local communities.

Beyond the training, Daibo said PIND will continue to engage operators through structured follow-up, monitoring compliance with safety standards and integrating key requirements into vendor management processes.

“This approach ensures that the intervention extends beyond a one-off activity to become part of a broader system for safer marine operations,” he said.

He added that this effort underscores PIND’s commitment to strengthening duty of care, improving operational safety and supporting more reliable access to communities across the Niger Delta.

Daibo said by working with national institutions and local operators, the organisation is contributing to safer waterways, where reduced risk translates directly into protected lives and more effective development delivery.

The training combined technical sessions, practical demonstrations, and simulation exercises covering marine safety protocols, emergency response, navigation risks, maritime security awareness, and incident reporting.

Participants were also trained on professional conduct and conflict sensitivity, reinforcing the role of safe and responsible engagement within riverine communities.

Facilitators from the Nigerian Navy and NIWA provided expert guidance aligned with national maritime safety standards, ensuring that participants received credible, context-specific knowledge grounded in real-world operational conditions.

Also speaking, the Area Manager, NIWA Warri Office, Rufus Ogbonlato, emphasised the importance of standardising operational practices among boat operators to improve safety outcomes and protect lives.

“Regular training and adherence to safety procedures are essential to reducing marine accidents. We commend PIND for creating a platform that promotes professionalism and responsible marine transport operations,” he said.

Base Administrative Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commander Samuel Ateru, commended the initiative, noting that improved safety awareness and compliance among operators are critical to reducing avoidable incidents on inland waterways.

“Safety on the waterways is a shared responsibility. Trainings like this strengthen preparedness, improve operational discipline, and support safer navigation across riverine communities,” he stated.