MWUN backs Oyetola’s ban on wooden boats amid rising waterway accidents

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has lauded the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (CON), for banning wooden boats from Nigerian waterways, citing negligence and safety violations behind frequent fatal accidents.

MWUN’s General President, Comrade Francis Bunu, praised the move as “prompt” action to curb deaths caused by drivers and passengers flouting safety rules like night travel bans and life jacket use, urging the government to also address issues with fibre boats and sanction errant operators.

The minister His Excellency Oyetola who was former governor of Osun State expressed fury over the situation, cited negligence, carelessness, and ignorance of safety rules as reasons for the accidents. He called to mind how government agencies had repeatedly warned against water travel after 6 PM, mandated life jacket use, and prohibited overloading, but these simple rules were routinely flouted by drivers and passengers, undermining waterway safety.

Bunu

Speaking further MWUN boss Comrade Bunu urged the federal government to address safety issues with fibre boats, which often engage in excessive speed, contributing to waterway damage.

He stated that regulators must clamp down on these anomalies, sanctioning erring drivers and boat owners to ensure safe water transportation.