The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Niger State Government and the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic boat accident on the Gbajibo River.
In a recent statement, Oyetola emphasized the importance of safety on Nigerian waterways, urging boat users to avoid night travel, refrain from overloading vessels, and ensure the use of life jackets before embarking on any journey, regardless of distance. He highlighted that night travel and overloading are significant contributors to preventable deaths on the country’s waterways.
The minister’s remarks were conveyed through his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan. Oyetola stressed the need for collective action to prevent future boat accidents, calling for strict adherence to water transportation regulations.
“I am aware that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) recently launched an advocacy campaign, warning against rising water levels, night travel, overloading, and the failure to use life jackets. NIWA has also deployed water marshals to enforce the transportation code,” he stated.
Oyetola further tasked NIWA with rigorously enforcing the water transportation code to standardize operations, reduce accidents, and foster a safer environment for potential investors in the marine sector.
He also called on state governments, especially those in coastal areas, to collaborate with NIWA in addressing the ongoing issue of boat mishaps, underscoring that a coordinated effort is essential to mitigate the frequent accidents occurring on Nigeria’s waterways.