12 hours ago
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In what appears as bold move to nip in the bud the recurring incidents of boat mishaps in our waterways, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated a Special Committee which is charged with the responsibility of reducing, if not completely eliminating the scourge.
Headed by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Mr Bolaji Oyebamiji, the Committee has the responsibility to ensure that our waterways are safe and secure in line with the theme of the 2024 World Maritime Day, which is “ Navigating the Future: Safety First
OyetolaOyetola in a strong message to the committee charged them to come up with ways and means that will guarantee that Nigeria’s waterways are the safest and most secure in the West and Central African sub-region.
He described the country’s waterways as vital to commerce, transportation and livelihoods, stressing that their safety and efficiency are paramount to the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
He further explained that as daunting as the task to unravel the mystery of recurring boat mishaps may seem, that with an unwavering commitment “we can eliminate boat mishaps and ensure that our waterways remain safe, navigable and prosperous for generations to come.”
The committee comprising critical stakeholders including state government representatives , and boat operators is tasked with the responsibility to conduct an indepth review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying the root causes of boat mishaps and proposing sustainable solutions. In accepting the mandate to head the committee, Oyebamiji said «this is another solution- driven initiative on our waterways. I assure you that the confidence reposed on us all is not misplaced,” he promised . Oyebamiji continued: “Safety on our Inland Waterways is not negotiable , NIWA is refocused to ensure that this committee will work deliberately to ensure that the highest safety standards…and will work diligently and address causes of boat mishaps and find lasting solutions to them “, he concluded.
But beyond the assurances from the helmsman of NIWA there are stakeholders who do not see the justification in naming Oyebamiji as head of the committee .
The argument is that since the assignment of the committee is to audit the activities of NIWA , it would make more meaning to allow a neutral individual or stakeholder to head the body. Said a boat operator who craved anonymity: “ Morally and procedurally, it is wrong to have the MD NIWA to head such a committee . This has nothing to do with his competence or otherwise, but if we must look deeply into the history of boat mishaps in Nigeria, there’s no way NIWA is not complicit, especially in the areas of enforcing compliance. NIWA and boat operators should split the blame, if possible on a 50/50 basis, eventhough boat mishaps did not just start with the coming on board of the current MD”, he concluded .
With just one week to hand a blueprint on how to abort or minimize accidents on our waterways, stakeholders also insist that the one week given to the committee to turn in its report is insufficient.
“If the committee would be required to criss-cross the length and breadth of this great country, engage stakeholders, meet boat operators on what their challenges truly are, one week, they argued, is certainly not enough time.The narrative is that the Oyebamiji team should be given sufficient time, maybe 60 days, if the Minister wants them to to get to the root causes of the perennial accidents on our waterways. Between January 2024 and January 29, 2025, no fewer than 452 Nigerians have lost their lives in boat mishaps in Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Bayelsa states.
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