Apart from the huge human and economic loss the country suffers from incessant mishap of boats on the waterways, the accidents are a serious disservice to the government’s desire to explore the waterways fully as a means of public transportation. There is no doubt that if properly developed, the country’s waters can provide a cheap, reasonable and safe alternative to transportation by road or by air. For a start, the nation is blessed with natural waterways that can facilitate people’s movement from point to point. What is lacking is the passion by the government, both at the state and the federal levels, to make it safe and reliable. Recent mishaps in the waterways, in which more than a hundred citizens met untimely deaths is surely grave enough to make the authorities more proactive on water transportation in the country.

The other day, more than 100 passengers including a father and four of his children died in a boat crash when about 300 people were returning to Kpada village after a wedding ceremony. The unfortunate incident occurred between Egbu in Patigi and Mokwa in Katcha, both in Kwara and Niger states, respectively. Similarly, about five people lost their lives in another boat incident in Ondo state recently.

These incidences are a sad commentary on the state of the transport system all over the country and it illustrates the inadequate value governments place on safety, whether on road, air or waterways. The sudden loss of so many lives is not palatable and it is indeed very pathetic, more so as the accident could have been avoided, had there greater diligence by the authorities.

One of the cornerstones of President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s public policy is to protect the lives and property of Nigerians. The government makes a show of pride of this virtue in its ‘renewed hope 2023’ manifesto. It is in fact one of the bases upon which it sought and won the 2023 elections. Therefore, the Tinubu government should not only be sufficiently concerned about issues that occasion tragic loss of human lives in high magnitude in the country. Thus, the government must view the boat mishap in Niger-Kwara waterways and indeed other tragic incidents that resulted in the death of citizens as a wake-up call to address the underlying problems with the appropriate gravity.

No doubt, the waterway is one of the oldest means of transporting goods and services from one point to another. It also offers safe and cheaper transportation and is critical to the development of international trade with other countries around the world if well harnessed. Obviously, waterway transportation should reflect in the coordination and management of trade among states linked by rivers. But sadly, the growth of water transport and other ancillary businesses have been impeded by numerous obstacles particularly the battle for supremacy and control between the states and federal government. Recent boats mishap raise concern about lapses in the regulatory authorities and their inability to enforce safety measures on the waterway operators. It also speaks volumes about the government’s attitude in making the waterway safe and economically viable for navigation.

According to an ADR Journals 2015 Report on ‘Boat accidents in Nigeria: General Trends and Risk Factors’ (June 2006-May 2015) by Ukoji Vitus Nwankwo and Ukoji Vitalis Ukoji, boat mishaps are more endemic than ever before in Nigeria due to increased patronage of water transportation. The authors stated that: “This preference heralded a new era of immense pressure on boat operators and other water users and increased boat accidents cum fatalities. Data from Nigeria Watch showed that 1607 lives were lost in 180 boat accidents between June 2006 and May, 2015. Identified human related and natural causes of such fatal boat accidents included overloading, careless driving, political instability, piracy, militancy, negligence, turbulent weather and wreckages.’’

Among other failures, the government’s negligence to dredging and constantly cleaning the waterway; and executing full regulatory roles on water transportation constitute a constant threat to safety in the waterways and of charting the course for economic gains and development of the sector. Notwithstanding former president Buhari’s allocation of N2.8 billion for the removal of wrecks, clearing of water hyacinths, floating debris and other wastes, there has been little impact on waterway transportation.

Other factors account for the absence of safety on the waterway. According to the Lagos State Chairman of Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association (WABOTAN), Jacob Ebiboh, passengers board boats without life jackets, while some boats move without indication lights especially those going to Badagry. He further stated that some captains of boats sometimes get drunk before embarking on a journey. Irrespective of the fact, as stated by Ebiboh that, a taskforce is stationed at the various jetties to check out the captains as well as ensure that passengers wear life jackets. It is regrettable that the authorities find it difficult to enforce the law on many Nigerians who are usually comfortable with cutting corners. It is equally sad that the government chooses to drift with the wind; for reacting rather than acting to avert avoidable tragedy and therefore being part of the problems much of the time.

This is not a situation to be explained away by pointing fingers; there is need for drastic and urgent action to end the needless carnage on Nigeria’s waterways. There should be no delay in dealing with the clear and present danger facing water transportation so as to encourage the people to embrace the means as a credible and safe alternative to the roads.