The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) don place immediate ban on all unlicensed boat operators and illegal loading points across Nigeria, as part of new safety measures to reduce boat accidents. Di announcement come after series of deadly mishaps wey claim lives for riverine communities like Sokoto, Niger, and Bayelsa. NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, announce di ban during press briefing for Abuja, say di move na to protect passengers and restore confidence in water transport.

Oyebamiji talk say from now on, no commercial passenger boat go fit load from any point wey NIWA no register. He also declare say all boat operators must provide lifejackets and enforce their use strictly. “No lifejacket, no boarding” go now be compulsory rule for all passengers. Boats must also display their names and load lines clearly to help monitoring and enforcement.

To make sure di new rules work, NIWA don increase their Water Marshals from 80 to 350 personnel nationwide. Dem go monitor jetties, enforce safety codes, and respond to emergencies faster. Oyebamiji also reveal say NIWA don reactivate Search and Rescue Stations, wey don reduce emergency response time to less than 30 minutes. Di agency don reach over 300 communities with safety campaigns in local languages.

NIWA dey also work with state governments to improve infrastructure. Some states like Niger don begin provide ferries and lifejackets to their people. Di agency dey push for creation of a Coast Guard unit wey go focus on inland waterways enforcement, separate from Navy duties. Oyebamiji say this kind unit dey work well for countries like US and UK, and Nigeria need am urgently.

As di ban dey take effect, NIWA don warn boat operators make dem comply or face removal from waterways. Di agency say dem go collaborate with Marine Police and Navy to enforce night travel ban and stop overloading. With these reforms, government dey hope say water transport go become safer and more reliable for Nigerians wey depend on rivers for daily movement.