Transportation commissioners in Nigeria, under the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum, have raised concerns about the persistent neglect of inland waterways. They called on stakeholders to prioritize the sector with the same commitment given to rail, aviation, and road transportation.
At a one-day consultative forum on safety and security in inland waterways held in Ilorin, Kwara State, the forum’s chairman, Gbenga Dairo, urged the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to be more proactive.
“Inland waterways transportation has been largely overlooked in our country,” said Dairo, who is also Ogun State’s Commissioner for Transportation. “It’s time we focus on this sector and ensure its development. We in the states are ready to collaborate with NIWA and other stakeholders to make waterways safe for transportation.”
Dairo emphasized the importance of empowering local governments to regulate and monitor activities on waterways. He noted that most waterways are situated in riverine communities, making local governments critical to ensuring safety and security.
“Local government authorities are the closest to the people. With the right empowerment, they can regulate activities and enhance security, especially as farmers rely on waterways to transport their goods,” Dairo explained.
The forum, themed “Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards, and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety,” aimed to establish protocols for collaboration between federal authorities, including NIWA, and state governments.
Dairo highlighted the need for strict regulation to ensure passenger safety, mirroring the oversight present in aviation and road transportation.
“Operators are often profit-driven and may compromise safety. Just as airports and train stations are regulated, there must be oversight at river ports when boats are loaded,” he said.
Addressing concerns about infrastructure, NIWA representatives assured attendees that plans to construct a jetty at Patigi, Kwara State, are still underway. The project, spurred by recent boat mishaps that claimed over 100 lives, requires technical studies and budgetary considerations.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State called for reforms to reduce incidents of boat mishaps. Speaking through Professor Shaba Jubril, the Secretary to the State Government, he emphasized the need for targeted investments, infrastructure upgrades, and better regulation of water travel.
“The recent loss of lives due to boat mishaps underscores the urgency of addressing safety challenges in our waterways,” the governor said. “NIWA must lead these reforms, supported by stakeholders, including private sector players.”
The forum concluded with a collective commitment to improving safety, infrastructure, and collaboration across Nigeria’s inland waterways, ensuring better transportation for millions of Nigerians.
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