Enforce safety regulations to curb boat accidents, reps tell NIMASA, NIWA

The house of representatives has asked the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enforce safety regulations on the nation’s waterways.

The parliament also asked NIMASA and NIWA to conduct a “thorough investigation” into recent boat mishaps recorded in the country to improve maritime safety.

The house passed the resolution during the plenary on Tuesday after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Unyime Idem, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom.

On Friday, a boat carrying more than 200 persons capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of the River Niger.

Rescue workers have recovered 22 dead bodies from the accident.

The incident occurred less than two months after a boat accident claimed the lives of 42 persons in the Gbajibo community of Mokwa LGA in Niger state. 

While moving the motion, Idem said the reoccurrence of these “devastating incidents” underscores the urgent need for improved maritime safety measures in the country.

He said maritime experts have identified a combination of critical factors contributing to the alarming frequency of boat accidents in Nigeria.

The lawmaker listed inadequate boat maintenance and poor design, overloading, lack of essential safety equipment and emergency response plans, insufficient training for boat operators, and a lack of strict regulatory enforcement as some of the factors.

He said NIWA and NIMASA are reportedly more focused on revenue generation than ensuring the safety of passengers.

Idem said the surge in boat accidents has raised concerns about the safety of the nation’s waterways.

He noted that Nigerians will continue to face psychological trauma, economic losses, and untimely deaths if nothing is done to improve safety and emergency response systems.

Lawmakers supported the motion when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.

The house mandated the committees on maritime safety, education and administration, and inland waterways to ensure compliance.