Boat mishap: FG, NASS urged to phase out wooden boats, enforce transport code

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly (NASS) to make the nation’s inland waterways safer for the millions of Nigerians who rely on water transport.

NAPS also called for increased budgetary allocation to the maritime and Inland Waterway sectors.

According to them, this funding should focus on enhancing the safety infrastructure, providing better equipment for emergency response, and recruiting more trained personnel.

Speaking at a press conference following recent boat accident that claimed over 200 lives in Kogi State, NAP’s National Secretary General, Comrade Agada Noah called for the phasing out of wooden boats and replace them with modern fiber boats.

Noah also called for increased manpower for the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

He emphasised the importance of enforcing the Water Transportation Code to reduce accidents.

He also appealed to National Assembly members representing riverine areas to collaborate with water transport operators and provide modern facilities, organise campaigns, and initiate sensitisation efforts aimed at reducing mishaps.

Noah stressed the need to address the root causes of waterway accidents, advocating stricter enforcement of safety regulations.

He urged stakeholders to ensure regular maintenance of vessels and to impose penalties on operators who fail to comply with safety standards.

Noah reaffirmed NAPS’ commitment to advocating the safety and well-being of Nigerians, stressing the importance of proactive measures to prevent future tragedy.

“The loss of even a single life is too many. Let this mishap be a turning point in our collective resolve to ensure no Nigerian dies needlessly due to preventable factors,” he stated.

Despite the calls for proactive action, Noah commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and NIWA for their ongoing efforts to improve waterway safety.

He praised NIWA for its initiatives, which include training over 300 boat operators, distributing thousands of life jackets, recruiting more than 500 water marshals, translating safety campaign materials into over 40 local languages, conducting community outreach, and promptly removing hazardous logs from waterways.

During an earlier meeting at NIWA’s headquarters, the authority’s Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, acknowledged the association’s engagement and highlighted the role of human error in boat mishaps.

According to Oyebamiji, 99 per cent of accidents result from the behaviour of boat operators and passengers disregarding safety protocols.

He also outlined NIWA’s recent achievements, including nationwide sensitisation campaigns, the donation of free life jackets, the deployment of additional water marshals, and the establishment of seven search and rescue units.

Oyebamiji revealed that the authority is in the process of procuring fiber boats in collaboration with state governments to curb recurring boat accidents across the country.