FG urged to ban wooden boats as means of transportation

Following the last month’s tragic boat mishap in Niger State which claimed over 50 lives, the National Association of Polytechnic Students has put forward a five-point demand to the Federal Government for the immediate scrapping of wooden boats as a means of transportation on the nation’s waterways, to be replaced with modern, safer vessels.

At a press conference held in Lokoja, Kogi State, the student body pointed out that these demands are part of a broader call for enhanced safety measures and improved infrastructure to prevent future tragedies.

Agada Noah, NAPS secretary general, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and called for accountability for those responsible for causing boat accidents.

He said: “The National Association of Polytechnic Students mourns the tragic loss of lives in the recent boat mishap, which is a painful reminder of the recurring boat accidents across the country, many of which are preventable.”

He highlighted the human factors contributing to such accidents, including negligence, lack of adherence to safety protocols, alcohol use, and sailing at night without headlamps.

He also faulted poor infrastructure, inadequate emergency response systems, and the use of substandard or overloaded vessels by boat operators.

Read also: How Kogi boat mishap happened – NIWA

“It is crucial to tackle the root causes of these preventable accidents. Stakeholders must enforce stricter regulations on boat operators, ensure regular maintenance of vessels, and impose penalties for non -compliance with safety standards,” he said.

The students called for increased budgetary allocation to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enable it meet its statutory obligations effectively, urging the National Assembly to legislate for these increased allocations, focusing on enhancing safety infrastructure, emergency response equipment, and the recruitment of more trained personnel, adding that grassroots sensitisation is important.

“The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director/CEO, Bola Oyebamiji, deserve commendation for their efforts in adopting and implementing Nigeria’s Water Transportation Code into reality.

“However, this is just the beginning. We need sustained commitment and investment to ensure safer waterways.

“While we acknowledge the National Inland Waterways Authority’s efforts to sensitise riverine communities and boat users, we call on the Federal and State Governments, legislators, and relevant agencies to intensify safety awareness campaigns,” Noah said.

He emphasised the need for collaboration between the Nigeria Union of Journalists, media outfits, and agencies to raise public awareness about waterway safety.

“This tragedy should be a turning point. No Nigerian should lose their life to preventable factors on our waterways,” Noah said.

In addition to improved safety infrastructure and public awareness, NAPS demanded that the government hold those responsible for boat mishaps accountable.

“We call on the Federal Government to ensure that whoever causes a boat accident must be held accountable,” he stressed.

The students also urged state governors from riverine areas to support NIWA’s efforts in modernising the country’s waterways and implementing safety measures.