An official of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Timothy Clement, has attributed many boat accidents on Nigeria’s waterways to limited technical knowledge and inadequate experience among operators.
Clement made this known on Wednesday at the closing ceremony of a three-day boat navigation and safety training for 75 boat drivers and skippers in Lagos.
The training, organised by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with NIWA, was aimed at improving safety, professionalism and operational competence on inland waterways.
According to Clement, sustained capacity-building programmes remain critical to reducing boat mishaps and improving safety standards nationwide.
He said NIWA had continued to implement safety measures, including the removal of wrecks that obstruct navigation, while also intensifying sensitisation campaigns for boat operators along major routes such as CMS, Ikorodu, Badore, Badagry and Port Novo.
“We have moved from jetty to jetty to educate operators on safe boating practices. This year alone, NIWA conducted sensitisation exercises two to three times across different jetties,” he said.
Clement urged boat owners to release more skippers and captains for structured training programmes, expressing optimism that consistent capacity-building would lead to significant improvements in waterway safety.
“I believe that by this time next year, we will have more reasons to celebrate improved safety on our waterways,” he added.
Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Consultant, Dr Sileola Akinbowale, described the programme as a life-saving initiative designed to strengthen manpower capacity and reduce waterway accidents.
She explained that the training combined classroom instruction with practical sessions at the jetty, ensuring participants acquired both theoretical knowledge and hands-on operational skills.
“This was not just a classroom exercise. Participants were taken out on the water for practical training, which made the programme highly effective,” she said.
Akinbowale commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the former Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, for prioritising safety and capacity development in the sector.
She rated the programme about 90 per cent successful and assured that similar initiatives would be sustained to enhance professionalism and save lives on inland waterways.
Participants were drawn from major boating associations, including the Maritime Workers Union, the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), and the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), with operators from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states in attendance.
A Lagos-based boat operator, Wasiu Olalekan, said the training had strengthened participants’ ability to respond to emergencies and distress situations.
Another participant from Ondo State, Biobaku John, said the programme exposed him to critical safety and emergency response skills that would enhance his professionalism.
Similarly, the leader of the Ogun State delegation, Pami Ronald, said participants were trained in boat handling, safety procedures, first aid, emergency response, engine maintenance and effective waterway transport management.
The training followed recommendations from investigation reports under the tenure of former NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, and forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA to improve safety standards and build confidence among inland waterway operators nationwide.