Follow Us on Google
It is increasingly becoming worrisome that Nigeria›s stretch of over 10,000 kilometers of waterways is gradually gaining the notoriety as a death trap. Since the beginning of the year, hardly a month passes without the report of one boat mishap or other. The most recent case occurred in Kogi State with no fewer than 200 passengers onboard as the death toll has continued to rise.
The National Inland Waterways Authority was established in 1971 with a specific mandate to improve and develop waterways for navigation.
The Agency is also mandated to “ensure development of Infrastructural facilities for the National Inland Waterways connectivity and economic centres using River Ports and nodal points for inter nodal exchange.
But sadly, our Inland waterways have been poorly managed with negligible compliance protocols. Most of the accidents have been blamed on overloading boats and poorly trained operators. Laxity in safety enforcements have rendered water travel perilous for millions while the authorities look helpless.
It has been reported that no fewer than 1,429 persons may have lost their lives in the last four years to boat mishaps. This figures may still be a far cry from actual casualties given the fact most of the deaths may not have been officially declared .
This is certainly one battle NIWA cannot fight alone as collaboration with relevant state and federal agencies remain key. Speaking at a one day workshop attended by Transportation Commissioners from the 36 states who converged on Ilorin, the Kwarra State capital, recently, the NIWA boss, Bola Oyebamiji appealed to state governments to explore areas of collaboration.
Oyebamiji urged state governments to join hands with the Federal Government in tackling the rising cases of boat accidents in our waterways.
But beyond this appeal for support from state governments, Nigerians are yet to see the arrests and prosecution of erring boat owners.
For now, it is business as usual for boat operators who do little or nothing to improve safety and security in our waterways. Series of awareness campaigns embarked upon by NIWA has made little or no impact as boat accidents on our waterways continue to rise.
It is, however, heartwarming that the Federal Government is considering recruiting Coast Guards to police our waterways. If it comes into effect, the Coast Guards will be deployed to our coast waterways to help curb the excesses of illegal boat operators and perform search and rescue operations among other enforcement activities. To show that it means business, an Executive bill is presently at the Senate on the proposed National Coast Guard. Proponents of the controversial bill, among other things, believe that the bill will compliment the Nigerian Navy in securing our waterways and help the menace of boat accidents on our waterways.
