The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has successfully reduced boat accidents and fatalities by 30% in 2024, according to a report by the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN).
Under the leadership of Bola Oyebamiji, former Osun State finance commissioner, NIWA has enhanced infrastructure and safety measures, leading to a decline in accidents.
The report, referenced Marine/2024/08/11/P/002, noted that boat accidents averaged 330 in 2021 and 2022 but dropped to 231 in 2024.
The Bureau responsible for transportation accident investigations emphasized the importance of life jackets and safety enforcement.
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NIWA’s Water Marshall Initiative, which deployed 350 marshals to terminals nationwide, played a crucial role in enforcing safety regulations and aiding rescue operations.
“No fewer than 2,000 life jackets have been freely distributed to boat operators in the last 12 months to ensure safety of passengers on the waterways.
The report read: “NIWA has demonstrated capacity to manage our waterways effectively and securely, and it is only hoped it could improve on its achievement thus far, so that by 2027, deaths arising from boat accidents on our waterways would have reduced to barest minimum as envisaged by the leadership of the agency in line with the mandate handed to the supervisory minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola by President Bola Tinubu.”