The recent boat accident in Niger State, which left 150 passengers missing, highlights significant regulatory failures and the federal government’s alarming neglect for the lives of those who rely on water transportation, according to Ejiofor Alike’s report. Last Tuesday, Nigerians were confronted with yet another tragedy as the boat, carrying 300 passengers from the Mundi community, capsized in the Niger River near the Jebba Dam, specifically at the Gbajibo community within Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA).

The Niger State Government has revealed that over the past three years, 182 passengers have lost their lives due to various boat mishaps within the state. With approximately 4,000 kilometers of navigable waterways in Nigeria, these routes have tragically turned into dangerous passages, accounting for more than 1,000 deaths in less than three years due to the lack of effective oversight by regulatory agencies.

While governments at all levels concentrate on improving air and land transport, there remains a glaring absence of proper regulations and enforcement for water transport. Many observers argue that the government has turned a blind eye to the issues plaguing this sector because the casualties predominantly involve the poorer demographics who depend on these boats.

In stark contrast to water transportation, which is often operated by non-professionals, the aviation industry is tightly regulated and managed by experts, reflecting the disparity between how different modes of transport are valued, particularly in relation to socioeconomic status.

Estimates indicate that boat accidents have claimed around 300 lives annually from 2021 to 2023, with the highest fatalities occurring in states such as Sokoto, Anambra, Bayelsa, and Lagos, among others. Notably, one of the most devastating incidents unfolded on May 26, 2021, in Warrah village, Kebbi State, when a boat capsized while carrying passengers to a market, resulting in 156 fatalities.

Earlier that same year, 29 children drowned in the Shagari River in Sokoto when their vessel capsized while they were gathering firewood. In the subsequent years, 2022 recorded the deadliest incidents, with over 300 lives lost, while in 2023, over 200 people died in similar accidents.

Among the tragedies of 2023, one of the first occurred on January 3 when a boat capsized in Kebbi State, killing 15 rice farmers. Further incidents throughout the year included multiple capsizings resulting in several fatalities across different states, underscoring the persistent risks associated with water travel in Nigeria.

The entertainment industry was also rocked on April 10, 2024, when a boat accident in the Anam River claimed the lives of five individuals, including a well-known Nollywood actor, Mr. Paul Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope. A preliminary report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) later revealed that the boat driver lacked certification, and the vessel was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Furthermore, NIWA’s Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, attributed the tragic accident to ignorance and negligence, emphasizing that the passengers did not follow standard procedures before boarding the boat.

To prevent such tragedies from happening again, there is a crucial need for the federal government to move beyond issuing condolences and instead institute rigorous standards for water transportation, similar to that of the aviation sector. Both former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu have called for improved adherence to safety regulations following boat accidents. However, these have often resulted in empty rhetoric as incidents continue unabated.

It is imperative for NIWA to take ownership of its regulatory responsibilities, ensuring that strict monitoring and enforcement measures are implemented to safeguard the lives of all those who traverse Nigeria’s waterways.