The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) disclosed that offenders of the Waterways Transportation Code have been charged in accordance with the law.

The agency also said it has deployed marshals across waterfronts nationwide and extended patrol hours beyond the 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. shift to ensure operational compliance on inland waterways transportation.

The Acting Managing Director, NIWA, Umar Girei, who made this known recently in Abuja, said the authority remains committed to enforcing penalties for violations, including overloading, operating unsafe vessels and failure to use life jackets, among other offences.

Girei further confirmed that the culprits involved in boat accidents have been apprehended, prosecuted and appropriately fined.

“Most offenders have been charged in court, and penalties have been applied as required,” he said.

According to him, the initiative complements NIWA’s enforcement efforts and commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on boat mishaps, stressing that the authority is targeting a year-round reduction in accidents.

“We are targeting a year-round, mishap-free water transport system. We seek the federal government’s support to provide the necessary resources and incentives to meet this objective,” Girei added.

The NIWA boss also noted that the safety interventions have resulted in a significant decline in incidents, with some areas recording up to a 70 per cent reduction in accidents.

Also speaking, a member of the NIWA Board, Tajudeen Alao, observed that although the law prescribes penalties for offenders, many boat operators in remote communities remain unaware of the regulations due to language barriers.

Alao disclosed that NIWA is set to launch a nationwide campaign to translate the provisions of its Safety Regulations Code into local languages, to reduce accidents and improve compliance across the country’s inland waterways.

Alao explained the translation of the NIWA Safety Code into local languages is expected to significantly enhance awareness and compliance among boat operators in rural and remote communities.

He said this would contribute to safer inland waterways and support the authority’s goal of eliminating boat mishaps nationwide.

Also, NIWA plans to collaborate with local governments, unions and cooperatives to ensure that the safety codes are widely disseminated and properly understood.

According to him, the campaign will also feature educational programmes highlighting the dangers of overloading, unsafe boat designs and neglecting the use of safety equipment.

Also, further underscored the Federal Government’s ongoing campaign to phase out wooden boats for stronger and safer fibre vessels.

He, however, acknowledged the socio-economic challenges involved, noting that many rural boat owners may not be able to immediately afford fibre boats, but emphasised that sustained public education and improved boat design remain critical toward enhancing safety.

“The law is the law. But you need to educate the people. How many of them in places like Sokoto or Maiduguri are aware of the code of conduct? In how many languages has it been translated? We must reach the grassroots so they understand the consequences of negligence,” Alao said.