By Abdullahi Lukman
In a bid to address the persistent rise in boat accidents across Nigeria’s waterways, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is set to nearly double its water marshal workforce by recruiting 800 new personnel by December.
NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, revealed that this expansion is part of a broader strategy to tighten safety enforcement, including cracking down on illegal loading points and ensuring passengers wear life jackets—a measure often ignored due to cultural superstitions.
Currently, NIWA operates with around 350 to 450 marshals, but Oyebamiji stressed that this number is insufficient for the country’s sprawling riverine networks.
The new recruits will bolster patrols, particularly at authorized jetties, where multiple marshals will oversee compliance with safety regulations.
Beyond enforcement, these marshals will play a crucial role in educating boat operators and passengers on safe navigation and drowning prevention practices.
Oyebamiji also highlighted the critical role of technology and monitoring teams already deployed to support these efforts.
The authority is urging the National Assembly to fast-track the Coastal Guard Bill, which would further strengthen maritime safety laws.
Additionally, Oyebamiji emphasized collaboration with riverine state governments as essential to creating a safer and more reliable water transport system in Nigeria.
