The Federal Government has called on state governments to discontinue the use of wooden boats and transition to fibre and aluminium vessels in order to improve safety, modernize water transport, and reduce the frequency of accidents.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made the appeal in a statement while commiserating with the victims and families affected by the recent boat tragedy in Shagari, Sokoto State.
He described the mishap as a consequence of continued reliance on outdated and unsafe wooden boats, stressing that such vessels have structural weaknesses that make them unfit for modern commercial operations.
“The Federal Government is appealing to state governments to urgently complement its efforts by investing in modern, non-wooden boats for commercial use. Wooden boats have served their time, but they are no longer suitable for our waterways,” Oyetola said.
The minister explained that wooden boats cannot withstand heavy haulage, particularly under conditions of overloading, and must be phased out. In contrast, fibre and aluminium boats are stronger, safer, more durable, and meet international standards for inland and coastal water transport.
He noted that the ministry had already distributed 3,500 life jackets to each riverine state as part of efforts to promote safety, but insisted that life jackets alone are insufficient without safe vessels.
“Life jackets are essential, but they cannot guarantee safety if the boats themselves are unsafe. This is why states must urgently invest in fibre and aluminium boats. Such investments are both life-saving and economically strategic,” he added.
Oyetola reiterated that adopting safer boats would not only protect lives but also strengthen Nigeria’s marine and blue economy in the long run.