MWUN applauds Oyetola for phasing out wooden boats to end deadly waterway accidents

Stanley Ihedigbo

Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Honourable Adegboyega Oyetola, for his decision to phase out wooden boats from operations on Nigerian waterways, describing the move as timely and capable of curbing the rising spate of fatal boat accidents across the country.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the President-General of the union, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, MWUN noted that the minister’s pronouncement had become necessary in view of the incessant loss of lives recorded annually on the nation’s inland and coastal waterways.

The union recalled that the minister had expressed deep concern over the persistent negligence, carelessness and disregard for safety regulations by boat operators and passengers, stressing that such attitudes had continued to fuel avoidable tragedies on the waterways.

According to MWUN, existing government safety regulations clearly prohibit night travel on waterways after 6:00 p.m., mandate the compulsory use of life jackets by all passengers and prohibit overloading of boats.

However, the union lamented that these basic but critical rules are routinely violated by both operators and commuters.

“This very simple but strict safety regulations have always been flouted by boat drivers and passengers alike, which has remained the bane of safety in water transportation in Nigeria,” the statement said.

Describing the minister’s action as prompt and courageous, Comrade Bunu said the decision to phase out wooden boats was aimed at addressing the root causes of the recurring accidents and reducing the needless deaths that could have been avoided through strict adherence to safety standards.

He observed that water transportation should ordinarily be one of the safest, fastest and most enjoyable means of movement within the country, particularly as an alternative to the nation’s often congested road networks.

“Water transportation would have been the safest, fastest and most enjoyable means of transportation within our waterways if all precautionary measures were adhered to. Sadly, what we have witnessed is a bunch of reckless and unlawful operators who constantly refuse to obey laws, thereby causing pain to families who have lost loved ones to night travel, overloading and failure to wear life jackets,” he said.

The union leader further lamented that many of the wooden boats currently in use are old, rickety and unfit for safe operation, posing danger to both passengers and crew.

“This mentality of ignoring simple safety rules has blindfolded many boat drivers and has prompted the severe action of the minister to curb this ongoing menace on our waterways. It is a strong lesson for boat owners, drivers and passengers alike,” he added.

While applauding the policy, Comrade Bunu urged the federal government to adopt a comprehensive and lasting approach to waterway safety, noting that the problem is not limited to wooden boats alone.

He warned that operators of fibre boats also contribute significantly to accidents through excessive speed and reckless driving, and called on regulatory agencies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement across all categories of watercraft.

“The menace of boat drivers must be addressed beyond the wooden category alone. Fibre boats, which engage in excessive speed, are also part of the damage to our waterways. All these anomalies must be properly checked by regulators,” he said.

He further called for strict sanctions against erring operators, recommending that both boat owners and drivers be held accountable whenever safety rules are violated.

“If the country must ensure decent and safe water transportation, any erring driver caught should attract sanctions, and the boat owner should equally be held responsible,” the union stated.

MWUN expressed optimism that with effective enforcement of the new policy and strengthened regulatory oversight, Nigeria’s waterways would become safer and more reliable for commuters, while preventable deaths and accidents would significantly reduce.