- Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (left), representative of the governor and Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdul Malik Sarkin-Daji, and Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, during the flagged-off in Minna, Niger State, of the distribution of 42,000 life-jackets to waterway users across 12 riverine states…on yesterday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
As part of efforts to curb the rising spate of boat mishaps and fatalities across Nigeria’s inland waterways, the federal government has flagged off the distribution of 42,000 life jackets to waterway users across 12 selected riverine states.
In the initiative, which was flagged off by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, at a ceremony in Minna, Niger State, each of beneficiary state will receive 3,500 life jackets in the first phase of the strategic safety intervention.
In his address at the occasion, the minister said the scheme embodies government’s “unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians who rely daily on the inland waterways.”
According to him, “the life jackets distribution is a proactive, life-saving response to the recurring boat accidents.”
Oyetola described as a national emergency “the rising incidence of mishaps due to human error, poor equipment and non-compliance with safety measures,” and stressed the urgent need for collective action to check them.
He further noted that government’s introduction of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations, 2023 – also known as the Waterways Transportation Code, is aimed at standardising operations, enforcing compliance and creating a more structured environment for investment and safety.
Also speaking, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, described the state as a “critical focal point” in the battle against waterway mishaps, having recorded the highest casualties from boat accidents in 2024.
According to him, “the state government is determined to address this issue frontally through strict enforcement and proactive intervention.”
On his part, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, noted that while vessel owners and operators are legally responsible for providing the safety jackets, the government stepped in to bridge the gap.
Meanwhile, the federal government has called on state authorities, traditional institutions, waterway users and transport operators to fully embrace the initiative, comply with safety standards and promote a culture of accountability and preparedness across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
