Mr Suleiman Nicholas, a retired area manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has urged boat operators to avoid overloading vessels to prevent accidents, especially during the peak of the rainy season.
In an interview on Wednesday in Abuja, Nicholas warned that overloading remained a leading cause of boat mishaps during periods of heavy rainfall and turbulent weather.
“As we enter the peak of the rainy season, with waterways rising from persistent downpours and visibility declining, boat journeys become more hazardous. Overloaded vessels can capsize more easily, placing passengers at severe risk with their luggage,” he said.
He encouraged passengers to report non-compliant operators who prioritise profit over safety.
Nicholas noted that during storms, even experienced operators would struggle to control overloaded vessels.
He commended the Federal Government for distributing over 42,000 life jackets nationwide, while highlighting the need for strict enforcement of their use.
“Non-compliance to use of life jackets is another boat menace that must be enforced by the government through water marshals before any boat takes off,” he stated.
He added that adherence to recommended weight limits and consistent use of life jackets could reduce boat accidents by over 90 per cent.
Nicholas called for full implementation of safety policies, including the no-life-jackets-no-movement rule, restrictions on night travel, and enforcement of passenger limits.
“The government needs to prosecute operators and vessel owners caught endangering lives of passengers by overloading, travelling on water at night, or under heavy downpour,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the risks of overloading, operating in poor weather, and night-time navigation due to limited visibility.
Nicholas advised passengers to reject boat rides where operators insist on exceeding capacity or travelling in unsafe weather conditions just to earn extra profit.
He called for stakeholders to reinforce a zero-tolerance stance on boat mishaps and promote strict safety practices.
He also urged the deployment of more water marshals at jetties to ensure safety compliance before departures, and recommended improved collaboration between boat operators, water unions, and marshals to enhance safety across the nation’s inland waterways.
(NAN)