FG responds to rampant boat deaths with safety committee

The federal government has set up a committee to prevent boat mishaps in response to the rising incidents of waterway accidents that have claimed lives and property.

The committee, inaugurated Friday by Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, is tasked with reviewing commercial boat operations, identifying the root causes of accidents, and recommending long-term solutions.

Oyetola, speaking at the inauguration, described Nigeria’s waterways as vital to commerce, transportation, and livelihoods but acknowledged the recurring tragedies that have plagued the sector.

“Our waterways are lifelines that connect communities and drive economic growth. However, the frequent tragic boat mishaps across the country have posed significant challenges, resulting in the loss of lives and properties. This situation demands urgent intervention,” he said.

The urgency of the intervention follows a string of fatal boat accidents across the country.

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In August 2024, no fewer than 20 persons lost their lives when the engine of a wooden boat popularly known as ‘Denghe’ exploded in the middle of a community river in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the Bayelsa State while transporting passengers to Yenagoa, a tragic remake of 2023 when a commercial boat travelling from Yenagoa to Brass in Bayelsa suffered an accident caused by bad weather and engine failure, resulting in loss of lives.

More recently, in November 2024, a boat transporting about 200 passengers from Kogi state to a food market in Niger state, capsised on the Niger River, leading to multiple fatalities, reportedly due to overloading and a lack of life jackets.

The Ikorodu-Island water route has been notorious for boat mishaps, as several media reports have carried news of repeated accidents and fatal mishaps on the waterways. In February last year, a 17-seater boat, loaded with 14 passengers, was involved in an accident along the Ibeshe/Ikorodu channel en route to Ebute Ipakodo Ikorodu. The incident killed three people.

According to the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), Nigeria recorded over 3,000 boat accidents in just a decade, and reports from Nigerian media showboat accidents claimed between 200 and 400 lives in 2024.

Chaired by Bola Oyebamiji, managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the committee includes representatives from four states, Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, and Niger, as well as industry experts and stakeholders from regulatory agencies, boat operators, and marine specialists. Adams Offie, Deputy Director of the Inland Waterways Division, will serve as Secretary.

Despite NIWA’s efforts, the frequency of boat accidents has remained a serious concern. Oyebamiji, speaking on behalf of the newly formed committee, commended the minister’s leadership and assured that the team would deliver on its mandate.

“I…wish to assure you that the confidence reposed in this committee will not be betrayed,” he said.

The move aligns with the 2024 International World Maritime Day’s theme, “Navigating the Future: Safety First,” reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to global maritime safety standards.