Boat accidents: A call for change

Boat accidents in Nigeria are tragically frequent, especially in regions with limited transportation options. In states like Niger, Kebbi and Adamawa, where rural communities depend on boats for daily travel, the risks are high. Overloading, poor safety measures and weak enforcement of regulations are the main causes, leaving many families devastated. On one fateful day, […]

Boat accidents in Nigeria are tragically frequent, especially in regions with limited transportation options. In states like Niger, Kebbi and Adamawa, where rural communities depend on boats for daily travel, the risks are high. Overloading, poor safety measures and weak enforcement of regulations are the main causes, leaving many families devastated.

On one fateful day, farmers, eager to beat an approaching storm, crowded into a boat to head home. Among them were women and children, holding on to hope as the sky darkened. But their fears came true. Halfway through the journey, strong winds capsized the overloaded boat, and chaos broke out. Screams echoed as men, women, and children fought to stay afloat. Twenty people went missing, lost to the river’s depths.

This heartbreaking scene repeats itself across Nigeria every year. Boats, essential for transport in areas with limited roads, become death traps due to overloading, faulty maintenance, and weak safety enforcement. According to data provided by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), between January 2018 and October 2023, Nigeria recorded 1,204 deaths from boat accidents, averaging about 17 fatalities per month. These incidents occurred in 25 states, with Niger State having the highest number of fatalities at 275.

Overloading remains a critical issue as boat operators prioritize profit over safety. Many vessels are dangerously overcrowded, and passengers, lacking alternatives, are forced to risk their lives.

In countries like Bangladesh, strict enforcement of passenger limits has reduced boat accidents. Nigeria could benefit from similar regulations, cracking down on operators who ignore safety rules.

Compounding the problem is the poor condition of many boats. They are often old, poorly maintained, and lack basic safety equipment like life jackets. Passengers board these vessels with little choice but to rely on luck.

Rising water levels and stronger storms, driven by climate change, further heighten the danger. Over the past decade, Nigeria has seen approximately 3,130 boat accidents, leading to over 3,133 deaths, according to the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria. Regular inspections and better boat maintenance are urgently needed.

The dangers of drowning also extend beyond boat accidents. The World Health Organization reported that drowning deaths in Nigeria reached 6,584 in 2020, accounting for 0.44% of total deaths, with a drowning mortality rate of 2.17 per 100,000 people.

This staggering number highlights the broader issue of water safety and the need for comprehensive measures to protect lives.

When accidents do happen, the country’s rescue efforts are often too slow to be effective. Poor funding and inadequate equipment delay response times, costing lives. Investing in better rescue units, equipment, and training responders is essential. However, prevention through stronger safety measures is the most effective solution.

Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Many passengers don’t realize the dangers of overcrowded boats or the importance of life jackets. Localised safety education, led by community leaders, can make a significant difference.

Countries like Indonesia and Bangladesh have shown that strict regulations and public education can reduce boat mishaps. By modernizing boats, enforcing safety standards, and raising awareness, Nigeria can make its waterways safer. Unfortunately, the lack of enforcement in remote areas undermines these efforts. While states like Lagos have made progress, others, such as Niger, Kebbi, and Adamawa, need to implement stronger oversight and inspections.

The tragedies we see on Nigeria’s waterways are preventable. They result from neglect—of safety regulations, boat maintenance, and care for human life. To prevent more families from suffering, we must act now: enforce safety rules, improve boat conditions, strengthen rescue operations, and educate the public.

The mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways don’t have to keep happening—they can be stopped. Every life lost shows the price we pay for ignoring safety. We know what needs to be done, but we keep doing nothing. How many more children need to lose their parents? How many more families must suffer before we take action?

The next boat accident could happen anytime. Will we wait for more lives to be lost, or will we make the changes needed to save them? The choice is ours, and lives depend on it.

 

Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin, Bayero University, Kano