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NIWA To Deploy 800 Water Marshals Nationwide by December to Enhance Waterway Safety
NIWA To Deploy 800 Water Marshals Nationwide by December to Enhance Waterway Safety
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced ambitious plans to recruit and deploy approximately 800 water marshals across Nigeria’s waterways by December 2025, nearly doubling its current enforcement capacity.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, NIWA Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji outlined the recruitment drive as a critical component of the agency’s strategy to combat frequent boat accidents and strengthen safety regulations on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
NIWA currently operates with between 350 and 450 water marshals nationwide. The planned expansion to 800 personnel aims to ensure that authorized jetties across the country have multiple marshals to enforce safety protocols effectively.
“The Federal Government is making significant investments in water safety infrastructure. We have all the necessary equipment and navigational aids, but we need more personnel to monitor our waterways adequately,” Oyebamiji explained.
The water marshals will be tasked with several critical functions:
– Curbing recurring boat mishaps through proactive monitoring
– Enforcing mandatory life jacket compliance among passengers
– Identifying and shutting down unauthorized loading points
– Educating passengers and boat operators on safe navigation .
Beyond the marshal expansion, NIWA has deployed four to five specialized monitoring teams, including task forces, across all waterways with particular focus on riverine areas. These teams work in coordination with water marshals to create a comprehensive safety net.
Oyebamiji made a strong appeal to boat users to prioritize safety over traditional beliefs, emphasizing the life-saving importance of protective equipment.
“Boat users must abandon superstitious beliefs about water protection and embrace scientifically proven safety measures, particularly life jacket usage, which dramatically increases survival chances during mishaps,” he stated.
The NIWA chief called on the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Coastal Guard Bill, describing it as crucial for maritime safety enhancement. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships with riverine state governments to create a unified approach to waterway safety management.
The success of the marshal recruitment drive depends on securing adequate funding, with Oyebamiji noting that the December target hinges on the government’s ability to finance the expanded workforce.
This initiative represents one of NIWA’s most significant safety enhancement efforts in recent years, addressing longstanding concerns about waterway security and accident prevention across Nigeria’s extensive inland water transportation network.
For WaterwaysNews.ng