NIWA Boss Unveils Key Reasons Behind Persistent Boat Accidents Despite Safety Regulations

NIWA Boss Unveils Key Reasons Behind Persistent Boat Accidents Despite Safety Regulations

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, has highlighted human error, drug abuse, and neglect of safety regulations as the primary causes behind boat…READ MORE…

accidents in Nigeria over the past three years.

Speaking during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on NIWA at the agency’s headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State, Oyebamiji reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians using water transport.

“99% of incidents on the waterways are due to human error. Studies have shown that operators are making avoidable mistakes that lead to disasters,” Oyebamiji said.

He also pointed out that some boat operators misuse drugs, impairing their ability to make sound judgments, which contributes to many serious accidents. Furthermore, many operators flout regulations by overloading wooden boats with up to 200 passengers, far exceeding their safe capacity.

The NIWA boss emphasized the importance of adhering to safety codes, noting that many operators neglect these, including the failure to provide life jackets for passengers. He also criticized the current penalty for violations, which is set at just ₦30,000, as insufficient.

The Chairman of the House Committee on NIWA, Ojema Ojotu, led a seven-member delegation to review the authority’s operations. He stressed the strategic importance of Nigeria’s inland waterways in improving connectivity, easing road congestion, and boosting economic growth.

“As public representatives, we must ensure the effective use of this resource for the benefit of all Nigerians. This visit allows us to examine critical issues such as operational efficiency, safety, infrastructure, and resource management at NIWA,” Ojotu stated.

He also emphasized the challenges faced by Nigeria’s inland waterways, including recurrent boat accidents, flooding in vulnerable regions, and the need for modernized infrastructure such as inland ports and navigable channels. Ojotu stressed that addressing these issues is essential for improving safety, efficiency, and economic growth.

Additionally, Ojotu called for modernization, including dredging of waterways, and investments in human capacity development and operational equipment to enhance safety and emergency response capabilities.

“Human capacity development and the procurement of equipment like boats are crucial to enhancing enforcement and rapid emergency responses. While government funding is vital, traditional financing models may not meet the infrastructure and capacity needs of NIWA. Alternative financing options, such as public-private partnerships and innovative funding models, are essential to bridge funding gaps and drive impactful development,” Ojotu concluded.

The committee, he assured, will continue to advocate for policies and budget allocations that align with national priorities and promote sustainable growth in the inland waterways sector.

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