Boat operators have expressed concern over the wide gap in safety regulations enforcement and compliance across the inland waterways. They also noted the delay in the distribution of life jackets provided by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to 12 coastal states, stressing that many operators and passengers are yet to receive the critical safety equipment.
The calls for urgent action follow two recent incidents in Gini village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, where 13 bodies were recovered and 26 passengers rescued. There was another incident in Jigawa State, where four people drowned and were confirmed dead, with five others declared missing after a canoe mishap in Taura Local Government Area.
The National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Gani Tarzan Balogun, maintained that the swift distribution of life jackets, backed by strict enforcement and regular safety education, is the most practical way to save lives and reduce accidents on the waterways.
He expressed concern over the slow pace of distribution at the state level, noting that operators in Lagos and Ogun states have still not received their life jacket allocations, despite assurances.
Balogun said the delays have been linked to documentation processes, leaving operators without essential safety equipment. Balogun stressed that the current state of the waterways and unpredictable weather conditions have made strict safety compliance even more important.
“ From what I have gathered, some states, including Lagos and Ogun, are yet to release these life jackets to operators. The delay is dangerous, especially with the current rough water conditions,” Balogun stated.
Echoing similar concerns, the National Public Relations Officer of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Raymond Gold, warned that the distribution of safety equipment without active enforcement and public orientation would do little to curb the rising incidents.
Gold also stressed that state governments must invest in safety orientation for passengers and establish state-controlled enforcement infrastructure to monitor compliance on inland waterways.
He noted that WABOTAN and the Sustainable Waterways Advancement and Development Organisation (SWAADO) had submitted a detailed safety and waterways development plan to states like Niger and Kwara, yet implementation has stalled.
“In Niger State, life jackets were distributed by agencies like the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), but in the recent Shiroro accident, reports indicate none of the victims wore them,” he stated.
Gold further emphasised that in rural areas, overloading, poor fueling practices, and a general disregard for safety are rampant due to the absence of a safety officer to enforce regulations, especially in communities where water transport is often the only viable option.
Gold called for stricter enforcement and penalties for violations, while also warning that unless state governments act swiftly by releasing the life jackets and deploying enforcement officers to jetties and water routes, the country will remain vulnerable to recurring waterway tragedies.
