Blog
Royal Call for Action: Etsu Nupe Demands NIWA Prosecute Waterways Safety Violators
Royal Call for Action:
Bida, Niger State
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to take decisive steps in enforcing the 2023 inland waterways safety codes and prosecute offenders who put passengers’ lives at risk in the State.
The monarch’s intervention comes amid mounting concerns over recent several fatal boat accidents in Niger State and other parts of the country, sparking clamour for urgent reform in the inland waterways transport sector.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at his palace in Bida on Wednesday, the royal father expressed deep frustration over the recurring loss of lives in boat mishaps, saying the incidents were largely preventable with adherence to safety regulations.
Alhaji Abubakar decried indiscipline among some boat operators and passengers, including habitual overloading of boats, transporting goods beyond capacity, and neglecting the use of life jackets.
The traditional ruler drew compelling comparisons between waterways and road transportation safety, noting that just as buses crammed with passengers and luggage can lead to fatal accidents, boats weighed down beyond their limit are disasters waiting to happen.
“We cannot continue to watch our people die in accidents that could have been avoided. The government must not only issue safety directives but must ensure strict enforcement and prosecute anyone who violates these laws,” he declared.
The Etsu Nupe recommended several immediate measures:
– Deployment of trained safety officers at departure points along major waterways
– Mandatory vessel inspections and passenger compliance monitoring
– Strict enforcement of life jacket requirements for all passengers
Beyond government action, the Etsu Nupe also highlighted the role of community participation, calling on traditional leaders, youth groups, and transport unions to join the campaign against recklessness on water.
He emphasized that community vigilance is vital, noting that most waterway transport activities occur in rural and riverine areas where government monitoring is often limited.
Highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in waterways safety management, the traditional ruler stated: “Our focus must shift from condolence after disaster to prevention before disaster. That is the only way to save lives and protect the livelihoods of our people.”
The Etsu Nupe’s intervention adds significant traditional authority backing to ongoing calls for NIWA to strengthen enforcement of Nigeria’s inland waterways safety regulations, particularly the 2023 safety codes designed to prevent maritime casualties.