Reps Demand Federal Probe Into Frequent Boat Mishaps, Call for Enhanced Maritime Safety

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to investigate the growing number of boat accidents in Nigeria, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.

This call followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to investigate the incessant boat mishaps in Nigeria’s waterways” presented by Unyime Idem, the representative for Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State.

The Kogi boat mishap along the Dambo-Ebuchi waterways of River Niger, where over 160 passengers were affected. Only 24 survived, 54 were confirmed dead, and many remain unaccounted for.

A canoe carrying 300 passengers capsized on the River Niger, resulting in approximately 200 fatalities.

He emphasized that the recurrence of such tragedies underscores the urgent need for improved maritime safety measures, citing factors like inadequate boat maintenance, overloading, lack of safety equipment, and insufficient operator training as contributors.

Idem also criticized the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for focusing more on revenue generation than enforcing safety standards.

The Federal Government, through the Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy and Transportation, should conduct a comprehensive investigation into recent boat accidents and recommend measures to improve safety.

NIMASA and NIWA must enforce compliance with international maritime safety standards.

Committees on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, and Inland Waterways are tasked with monitoring compliance.

“The loss of lives and property on Nigeria’s waterways is preventable,” Idem stated. “If action is not taken, Nigerians will continue to face economic losses, psychological trauma, and untimely deaths.”