By Comfort Olayinka
The Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Marine Transport have called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to prioritize the dredging of major rivers, including River Benue, to tackle the rising threat of annual flooding and prevent further waterway accidents in Nigeria.
During a joint session on Wednesday, lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing number of fatalities on the nation’s waterways, with over 400 lives lost due to boat overloading and other safety lapses.
Describing the country’s waterways as a “death trap,” the committees emphasized the need for urgent reforms to protect citizens.
NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Nola Oyebamiji, responded by revealing that dredging Nigeria’s waterways would cost an estimated $3.7 trillion, but assured that it would be a top priority in the authority’s 2025 development agenda.
He also pointed to human negligence as a major contributor to accidents, proposing that replacing wooden boats with steel alternatives could reduce the risks.
Lawmakers, led by Hon. Ojotu Ojeme and Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, decried the neglect of water transportation in comparison to road and air travel. They urged the government to invest in improving waterway infrastructure, boosting economic activities, and enhancing safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
“We will escalate this issue by writing to the relevant ministry and, if necessary, the President. If NIWA is given Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), they must also be provided with the necessary funding to meet those targets,” he stated.
“In developed countries, coastguards are responsible for enforcing safety regulations and conducting search-and-rescue operations. Nigeria’s inland waterways must also be properly patrolled to curb infractions and ensure safety,” he added.
In developed countries, coastguards are responsible for enforcing safety regulations and conducting search-and-rescue operations. Nigeria’s inland waterways must also be properly patrolled to curb infractions and ensure safety,” he added.
The committees also advocated for increased enforcement through empowered marine marshals and the establishment of a coastguard system to monitor compliance and conduct search-and-rescue operations.
