The Federal Government has been urged to establish an independent oversight body to investigate boat accidents and hold regulatory authorities and operators accountable for lapses.
Maritime expert and the Chief Executive Officer of Ships & Ports Limited, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, who gave the recommendation, said the independent body should make the findings public and recommend corrective actions, which could serve as a constant watchdog for waterway safety.
His call comes in the wake of a series of tragic boat accidents, which have claimed more than 1,500 lives in the past five years, including nearly 300 fatalities in 2024 alone.
According to Akinola, the recent disaster in Lagos and Niger states, like many others before it, underscores systemic failures and negligence by both regulatory authorities and boat operators.
“The persistent loss of life on our waterways is a reflection of gross negligence and abdication of responsibility. These are not mere accidents; they are preventable tragedies with the dire need for improved safety measures,” he said.
Akinola said the time for mere condolences and promises is over, noting that the government must implement immediate reforms and strong penalties to end this endless cycle of death.
At the heart of these reforms is a complete overhaul of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which Akinola believes should be empowered to enforce safety standards.
Akinola laid out a series of actionable steps, beginning with regular inspections of all boats to ensure their seaworthiness while stressing the need for stringent penalties for operators who overload vessels or ignore safety regulations such as not having enough life jackets for every passenger.
He emphasised that the pursuit of profit must not come at the expense of human lives, advocating for mandatory training programmes focused on safety regulations, emergency procedures and basic maintenance. He also called for bans on operators who consistently violate safety regulations, with their vessels either confiscated or decommissioned to prevent further dangers.
Akinola further identified the need for better infrastructure and technology on the waterways, advocating for the installation of more navigation aids, such as buoys and beacons, with increased investment in dredging and clearing operations.
He advocated greater presence of maritime safety officials on busy routes to help quickly respond to emergencies and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Akinola called for a partnership between NIWA and state agencies to oversee the removal of underwater wrecks and other navigational hazards, which he argued, would be vital in ensuring safer waterways for all Nigerians.
Recognising the importance of awareness, Akinola urged the government to launch a national water safety campaign targeting both passengers and operators, suggesting the use of local languages and various media to ensure even rural communities understand the importance of life jackets, respecting capacity limits, and other safety practices. Akinola warned that failure to act makes all parties complicit in future tragedies, underscoring the urgency for a comprehensive overhaul of waterway safety measures.
