By Thompson Yamput
Mr. Bola Oyebanji, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA ), on Wednesday says human errors,, , drugs and blatant Flouting of rules and regulations are the major causes of boat mishaps in the Country.
“These are the major causes of most of the boat mishaps that occurred in the inland waterways in Nigeria in the past three years.”
Oyebanji, made the remarks while fielding questions from House Committee Members on NIWA who were on oversight function to the Headquarters of the Authority in Lokoja.
He added: “In spite of this, NIWA is committed to the safety of all travelers using water transportation.
“Unfortunately human errors contribute 99 percent of the mishaps on the Waterways. Research has shown that the operators are committing avoidable mistakes which could not have cause havoc.
“Again, some of the operators live on drugs to influence their activities to make them high and eventually make unpardonable mistakes.
“Some operators are repugnant to following rules and regulations. Just imagine a wooden boat carrying between 150 and 200 passengers instead of limited number.”
He lamented that the transportation Code requires revalidation because the operators have not been strictly followed the code that recent signed recently ,while some and are not providing required life jackets for their passengers
The NIWA boss lamented that the Regulation Code only provided N30,000 as penalty for the offenders
The Chairman of the House Committee on NIWA , Mr. Ojema Ojotu, who lead other seven members to Lokoja, explained that the inland waterways are an integral part of Nigeria’s transportation framework, offering immense potential for enhancing connectivity, reducing road congestion, and stimulating economic growth.
Ojotu said that as representatives of the people, the responsibility behooves on them to ensure that “this potential is harnessed effectively for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
He explained that the visit provided them with the platform to scrutinize ‘critical areas such as operational efficiency, safety on the waterways, infrastructure development, and the overall management of resources allocated to NIWA.
“We recognize the unique challenges associated with managing waterways, including the recurring issues of boat mishaps, flooding in vulnerable regions along the waterways, and the demand for modernized infrastructure such as inland ports and navigable channels.
“As we deliberate today, it is imperative to consider how these challenges can be addressed to enhance safety, efficiency, and economic viability. .
“The strategic importance of inland ports cannot be overstated, especially in fostering internal and regional trade and serving as vital links in our national logistics chain.
“Similarly, the dredging of waterways remains key to unlocking the full potential of our inland transportation system, ensuring seamless connectivity and uninterrupted operations.
“Therefore, there is need for human capacity development and procurement of essential operational equipment, such as boats, to enhance safety enforcement, rapid emergency responses and deliver efficient services,” he said.
According to him, while government funding remains critical, it is evident that traditional financing models may not suffice to meet the infrastructure and capacity building demands of NIWA’s mandate.
He stressed that it was imperative to the authority to think outside the box and explore alternative financing options, including public-private partnerships, concessional arrangements, and innovative funding mechanisms.
“These approaches can bridge funding gaps and drive impactful infrastructural development.
“AS we engage with NIWA’s leadership and review their activities, let us remain focused on identifying practical solutions to the pressing issues facing the inland waterways sector.
“This Committee will continue to advocate for policies and budgetary allocations that align with national priorities and promote sustainable development”, the chairman said.
