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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has launched an enforcement campaign for its newly established Waterways Transportation Code, aimed at regulating boat operations in Lagos State.
This has led to the deployment of a dedicated team of river marshals, in collaboration with personnel from the Nigerian Navy, to ensure full compliance with the new code by boat operators, captains, and passengers.
The initiative seeks to bolster safety standards across Lagos’s bustling waterways while reinforcing the importance of adherence to the rules that govern inland navigation. The new code outlines a detailed list of offenses and corresponding penalties, designed to reduce the risk of accidents and promote responsible waterway usage. Notably, offenders will not only face penalties but also bear the costs of inspections and repairs for any damage caused by their infractions.
The comprehensive code covers a wide range of violations with significant fines aimed at curbing reckless practices. For example, undermanning vessels comes with a fine of N5,000 per person for vessels under 15 tons Gross Register Tonnage (GRT), N15,000 per person for vessels between 15 and 50 GRT, and N50,000 for vessels over 50 GRT. Violations concerning life-saving appliances (LSA) attract a N10,000 fine, while overloading vessels up to 50 GRT carries a penalty of N20,000, with a higher fine of N50,000 for vessels exceeding 50 GRT.
Other offenses, such as allowing underage individuals to serve as boat masters, result in a N10,000 fine, with repeat offenses leading to the revocation of the vessel’s operational permit. Additionally, carrying dangerous objects that endanger passengers, vessels, or the environment incurs a steep fine of N50,000. Environmental violations, such as dumping refuse or solid waste into waterways, attract fines of N20,000 for individuals and N200,000 for corporate bodies or vessels.
Further penalties include N50,000 for failing to notify the authorities after a maritime accident, N50,000 for breaches in navigational vigilance, and N20,000 for obstructing navigable routes. Unauthorized usage of the waterways is also subject to a N30,000 fine, underscoring the strict regulatory framework now in place.
Leading the charge to ensure total compliance, Dr. Sarat Braimah, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, emphasized the critical importance of the new code, particularly as the waterways see increased traffic during the ‘ember months.’ She explained that the code provides a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at protecting both operators and passengers, ensuring their safety on the water.
“The Waterways Transportation Code, now gazetted into law, introduces stringent penalties for offenses such as overloading vessels, failing to provide life jackets, and operating boats without proper registration,” Braimah said. “These regulations are non-negotiable, and offenders will face stiff consequences.”
Dr. Braimah further noted that to guarantee effective enforcement, NIWA has deployed a team of 76 river marshals across various jetties in Lagos, supported by 72 personnel from the Nigerian Navy. This coordinated effort is designed to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and enforcement of the code’s provisions.
Recognising the challenges of enforcing regulations in a country where adherence to laws is often resisted, Dr. Braimah assured that NIWA’s marshals have undergone extensive training and are well-equipped to carry out their duties. “We know that enforcing regulations can sometimes meet resistance, which is why we are taking all necessary measures to ensure that safety standards are not compromised,” she added. “With the support of the Navy, we are confident that we can maintain the highest safety standards across Lagos’s waterways.”
