The National Inland Waterways Authority has announced an immediate ban on all loading activities from unauthorized points across the country to curb boat accidents and improve safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, announced the new directives, saying, “NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorized loading points across the country. No commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other than those recognized and registered by NIWA.

“It is mandatory for all commercial boat operators to provide and enforce the use of lifejackets on the boats always. Every commercial passenger boat must properly display its Boat Name Letters and Load line.”

He also gave the directive that “all unlicensed boats and watercraft be removed from the waterways.”

Adding that, “All unlicensed boat drivers and operators are banned from operating any boats or watercraft on the waterways.

Several deadly inland waterway accidents have occurred in the past six months. For example, in April, a boat carrying traders on the Niger River capsized near Sokun Village in Lapai LGA (Niger State) due to a sudden storm.

Local media reported that “an unspecified number of traders” drowned when the overloaded boat went down in strong winds. No definitive casualty count was released for that accident, but it underscored the danger of river travel during seasonal squalls.

Another occurred in July, in Niger State. A passenger boat laden with rice, livestock, and about 40 people collided with a submerged log and capsized on the Shiroro River (near Zumba market in Shiroro LGA).

Rescue teams later recovered 15 bodies and identified three more people still missing; 26 passengers wearing life jackets were rescued.

In Sokoto State, two deadly accidents occurred in mid-August 2025. A heavily loaded boat ferrying women, children, and motorcycles to the Goronyo market capsized.

The most recent accident occurred in September in Niger State. A wooden boat carrying mourners to a condolence visit capsized near Gausawa in Borgu LGA on the Kainji Reservoir’s Malale River. More than 27 people were reported to have been confirmed dead. (The PUNCH)

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