‘Life Jackets save lives’, Niger State praises NIWA’s efforts

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Niger State government has commended the Federal Government’s safety initiatives on inland waterways, particularly the donation of 3,500 life jackets by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which has helped save lives in recent boat mishaps.

The Commissioner for Transport in Niger State, Hajia Hadiza Idris Kuta, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Niger State, Engr. Lucky Barau, disclosed during a press briefing in Minna on Monday that the state had distributed the life jackets donated by the Federal Government to all boat operators in the 17 water-connected Local Government Areas.

She went further to state that passengers were saved during a boat mishap recently in the State, especially those who put on life jackets.

He said “In a recent boat mishap, some passengers were saved because they were wearing life jackets. This is the impact the jacket has on boat passengers,”.

The Commissioner who applauded the managing director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, said his leadership has transformed inland waterways transport in the country. She also stressed that the Ministry and the authority enjoyed a cordial working relationship that has further promoted safety in the state.

On measures taken to curb incessant boat mishaps in the state the Commissioner also stated that the state government has banned night travelling and overcrowding of boats. She also said that the government has provided fibre boats for riverine communities to replace wooden boats, even as they are set to employ safety marshals to enforce the usage of life jackets and stop overloading of boats.

At distribution of life jackets in 2024 by Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega oyetola

“The State government has shared some life jackets with the operators before the Federal government came. Also, contracts have been awarded to supplement what the Federal government did.

“The governor has also provided fibre boats to replace the wooden boats. This is to move people away from wooden boats, and they have shared about eight as a start, and we are on the verge of getting water ambulances.”

“We’re setting up a water marshal that will enforce the usage of life jackets, because we get to understand that most people don’t even want to use a life jacket. So, the State government is considering recruiting water marshals who will enforce the usage of this life jacket.

“Currently, if you don’t wear the jacket, you will not board the boat, and this is in an attempt to curb the loss of life on the state’s inland waterways,” she said.

She also noted that the State government strictly control overloading on the fibre boats donated to the riverine communities.

On development of water transportation and infrastructure, the Commissioner applauded the governor, Mohammed Umar Bago for providing budgetary allocations in the 2026 budget to further provide infrastructure in waterways transportation. Out of the 27 LGAs in Niger State, 17 are connected through water.