Girei: NIWA, NSIB to intensify joint efforts against boat accidents, data sharing 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Acting Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Malam Umar Yusuf Girei, has said the authority will intensify collaboration with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to tackle the persistent challenge of boat accidents and improve safety across the nation’s inland waterways.

Girei

Girei said the renewed partnership underscores the federal government’s commitment to making water transportation safer, more efficient and attractive as a viable alternative to road transport under the Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

He made the pledge on Tuesday while receiving the Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jr., during a courtesy visit to NIWA’s headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State.

According to Girei, stronger inter-agency collaboration remains essential to reducing marine casualties, enhancing regulatory compliance and protecting lives and property on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

“NIWA is committed to strengthening partnerships with sister agencies to improve safety standards and ensure effective enforcement of regulations governing inland water transportation,” he said.

He explained that the collaboration would focus on accident investigations, information and intelligence sharing, technical cooperation, capacity building and the implementation of preventive measures aimed at reducing future boat mishaps.

The NIWA boss assured the NSIB of the Authority’s readiness to provide operational support, technical expertise and relevant data required for prompt and thorough investigations into marine accidents.

He noted that findings and recommendations from accident investigations would help shape better safety policies, strengthen enforcement strategies and address recurring factors responsible for boat accidents.

“Beyond investigating accidents, our objective is to prevent them. By working together, we can identify safety gaps, improve compliance and ensure safer navigation across Nigeria’s inland waterways,” Girei added.

Capt. Badeh

Earlier, the Director-General of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between both agencies and expanding areas of collaboration in the interest of public safety.

According to him, the partnership will cover accident investigation, data exchange, technical cooperation and the promotion of best safety practices within Nigeria’s inland water transport sector.

Badeh stressed that effective investigations are critical to identifying the root causes of accidents and developing practical recommendations that will prevent future occurrences.

The renewed collaboration comes at a time of growing concern over recurring boat accidents in different parts of the country. In recent years, incidents linked to overloading, non-use of life jackets, poor vessel maintenance, adverse weather conditions and violations of safety regulations have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.

The federal government has continued to prioritise water transportation as part of efforts to decongest roads, reduce logistics costs and stimulate economic activities through the Marine and Blue Economy sector. Achieving those objectives, stakeholders say, depends largely on improving safety standards and restoring public confidence in inland water transport.

Industry observers believe closer cooperation between NIWA and the NSIB will enhance accident reporting, improve implementation of safety recommendations and strengthen enforcement mechanisms, ultimately contributing to a safer and more sustainable inland waterways transport system in Nigeria.