NIWA Bans Illegal Loading Points to Bolster Waterway Safety

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has unveiled series of stern safety measures aimed at tackling the increase in boat accidents across Nigeria, as well as an outright ban on all unauthorized loading points.

NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, ontlined the Authority’s efforts since October 2023 to improve waterway safety, which include the introduction of the Water Transportation Code, deployment of 350 water marshals, mandatory passenger manifests at registered jetties, and the establishment of rapid-response search and rescue stations that now reach emergencies within 30 minutes.

He stated that NIWA has extended safety awareness to over 300 riverine communities through grassroots campaigns in 2025 alone, adding that the Authority has also upgraded navigational safety by installing buoys, conducting hydrographic surveys along more than 600 kilometers of waterways, and clearing wrecks to ensure safer routes.

Oyebamiji commended the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Dr. Gboyega Oyetola, for distributing over 45,000 standard lifejackets across 12 states, adding that these combined efforts have resulted in a 70 per cent drop in inland waterway accidents over the past year.

To sustain this progress, he said that NIWA is enforcing immediate rules: banning all illegal loading points nationwide; requiring lifejackets for all passengers; compulsory display of boat names and load lines; removal of unlicensed boats and operators; and partnering with riverine states to support safety campaigns, training, and updated ferry fleets.

Oyebamiji called on the National Assembly to create Coastal Guards to strengthen enforcement and safeguard further improvements.

“We are committed to making Nigeria’s waterways safer and eliminating accidents,” he assured.