By Abbas Nazil
The House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Transportation to investigate the rising incidents of boat mishaps in Nigeria.
This directive follows the tragic mishap in Kogi State that claimed dozens of lives.
The accident, which involved over 160 passengers on a boat, resulted in 54 confirmed deaths, with only 24 survivors rescued. Many passengers remain missing, intensifying concerns over safety on Nigeria’s waterways.
During a plenary session, Honourable Unyime Idem, who sponsored the motion, highlighted the alarming frequency of boat accidents in the country.
He expressed grave concern over the risks faced by travelers on Nigeria’s waterways due to poor safety measures and inadequate enforcement of regulations.
“The continuous loss of lives on our waterways is unacceptable,” Idem charged, saying, “Urgent action is required to address this issue and improve the safety of our transportation systems.”
In response to the motion, the House urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enforce strict safety regulations and ensure compliance with international maritime standards.
The lawmakers emphasized the need for these agencies to implement proactive measures to prevent future accidents, including regular inspection of boats, mandatory safety equipment, and adherence to capacity limits.
The House also called for increased public awareness campaigns to educate boat operators and passengers on safety practices.
It stressed the importance of collaboration among relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring and regulation of water transportation in the country.
The tragic incident in Kogi State has once again brought to the fore the vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s inland waterways system. Despite its potential to serve as an efficient transportation alternative, recurring accidents have undermined public confidence in water travel.
The House directed that its resolutions be communicated to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Transportation for immediate action.
The lawmakers expressed the hope that the investigation and enforcement of safety regulations will significantly reduce the risk of future mishaps.