By Musa Ubandawaki

SOKOTO:–The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has intensified efforts to enhance safety and regulation on Nigeria’s inland waterways, as part of a broader national drive to curb boat mishaps and protect lives across riverine communities.

The Area Manager of NIWA in charge of Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states, Bello Muhammad, disclosed this in an interview, stressing that the agency remains committed to enforcing safety standards and ensuring orderly navigation on inland waterways.

Muhammad explained that NIWA, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation and Blue Economy, is statutorily responsible for regulating inland water transportation, navigation activities and related economic operations across the country.

According to him, the authority has intensified public sensitisation campaigns to educate boat operators and passengers on the dangers associated with night travel, overloading and operating boats without basic safety equipment.

He noted that unsafe practices, particularly travelling at night and ignoring safety guidelines, have been identified as major contributors to fatal boat accidents in many parts of the country.

To strengthen enforcement and response capacity, the area manager revealed that NIWA has deployed emergency response teams to complement the activities of river marshals at various loading points within its jurisdiction.

He said the agency is determined to bring an end to recurring boat mishaps through proactive regulation, monitoring and collaboration with local communities and relevant stakeholders.

As part of its safety intervention, Muhammad disclosed that NIWA has provided over 3,000 life jackets to boat operators and passengers to reduce casualties in the event of emergencies on the waterways.

Beyond transportation safety, he said the authority also regulates sand dredging activities along river banks to prevent environmental degradation, erosion and navigational hazards that could endanger lives and infrastructure.

The area manager further announced that NIWA has approved specific operating hours for boat operators nationwide, restricting movement on inland waterways to between 6:00am and 6:00pm daily.

He explained that the policy was introduced to minimise risks associated with poor visibility and adverse weather conditions that are more prevalent outside daylight hours.

Muhammad also directed all boat owners and operators to ensure proper documentation of passengers through a manifest before departure from any loading point.

He said the manifest system would aid quick identification and rescue operations in the event of emergencies, reaffirming NIWA’s resolve to make Nigeria’s inland waterways safer, more organised and economically viable for national development.