NIWA introduces quarterly boat checks, enforces safety rules on waterways ahead of ember months

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has introduced quarterly safety inspections for smaller boats operating on Lagos waterways and threatened to impound vessels whose operators fail to comply with registration, certification and safety requirements ahead of the ember months.

Stating that the measures were part of intensified efforts to prevent avoidable boat accidents, improve compliance with safety regulations and protect passengers and operators during the period.

The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Engr. Sarat Braimah, disclosed this during a safety sensitisation programme for boat operators and passengers at Liverpool Jetty, Lagos on Tuesday, the event was attended by boat operators, passengers and other stakeholders.

Engr Egwuatu

Represented by Engr. Elsie Egwuatu, Head of Marine Department, of Lagos NIWA, she identified human error as a major cause of boat accidents, stressing that regular inspections, public awareness and strict enforcement of safety regulations were necessary to improve safety on inland waterways.

She explained that the quarterly inspections for smaller vessels would complement the mandatory annual registration and inspection exercise, noting that smaller boats were particularly vulnerable to wear and tear from continuous exposure to water.

“We conduct quarterly inspections for boats like these because we have noticed that wear and tear on the waterways have more impact on smaller boats,” she said.

The Lagos NIWA  bosso warned that operators who failed to present their vessels for the required inspections or meet registration requirements would face stricter enforcement, including the impoundment of non-compliant boats.

She said the authority had intensified sensitisation campaigns across several jetties in Lagos but would now adopt a more aggressive approach to ensuring compliance.

The campaign has covered Liverpool, Ipakodo, Marina, Badagry, Sabokoji, Ikorodu, Makoko and Ibeche, with further engagements planned for other locations, including CMS Jetty.

On the mandatory training and licensing of boat operators, Egwuatu said the initial training required to obtain a captain’s licence costs N95,000, while subsequent licence renewals cost N16,500 and are valid for three years.

She described the training as essential to equipping operators with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to manage vessels safely, respond to emergencies and protect passengers.

According to her, NIWA had given operators sufficient time to comply with the certification requirements but would strengthen enforcement to ensure that only qualified personnel operated boats.

Egwuatu also cautioned boat operators against night sailing, overloading and operating vessels under the influence of alcohol, urging them to observe all established safety procedures.

She expressed concern over complaints by some captains that certain passengers, particularly women travelling with several children, sometimes refused to pay for separate seats for the children.

The NIWA official explained that children also contribute to a vessel’s passenger load and must be properly accommodated within its approved capacity to prevent overloading.

She urged operators to enforce passenger limits without exception, stressing that disregard for safety regulations could put everyone on board at risk.

On the use of life jackets, Egwuatu said all passengers and boat operators must wear them and ensure that the belts were properly fastened throughout their journeys.

She described life jackets as essential protective equipment rather than accessories and advised operators to keep them clean and in good condition.

Passengers were also urged to handle life jackets responsibly after use instead of dropping them carelessly inside boats, to support proper maintenance and hygiene.

She further advised passengers to remain calm during emergencies and follow safety instructions, noting that appropriate response and rescue measures could be activated when necessary.

Beyond vessel operations, NIWA raised concerns about indiscriminate waste disposal on waterways, warning that sachet-water wrappers, plastics and other debris could obstruct or damage boat engines and cause breakdowns.

Egwuatu also condemned the construction of toilets over waterways, describing proper environmental sanitation as an important component of safe and sustainable inland water transportation.

Addressing concerns about the absence of waste bins at Liverpool Jetty and other jetties, she said arrangements were underway to provide bins at the jetty and other locations, with plans to improve waste disposal facilities on boats also being finalised.

She urged waterways users to support the authority by reporting unsafe practices and other regulatory violations.

“We encourage every stakeholder on the waterways: if you see something, say something. Keep informing us. We share information so that we can all collaborate and make these waterways safer and more seamless,” she said.

Given, NIWA has renewed campaign which would combine public sensitisation, routine inspections and stricter enforcement to improve compliance with safety standards, protect lives and reduce avoidable accidents on Lagos waterways during the ember months and beyond.