NIWA bans commercial boat activities from unlicensed loading points

The National Inland Waterways Authority has banned loading activities from all unauthorised loading boat points across the country. Managing Director/CEO of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday while providing an update on boat mishap in the country. “The Authority believes that an important operational tool such […]

The National Inland Waterways Authority has banned loading activities from all unauthorised loading boat points across the country.

Managing Director/CEO of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday while providing an update on boat mishap in the country.

“The Authority believes that an important operational tool such as the Coastal Guards will go a long way in strengthening its enforcement drive for better results. We therefore plead with the National Assembly to look into this direction.

“In the meantime, to build on the recent positives, NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorised loading points across the country. No commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other than those recognised and registered by NIWA.

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“It is mandatory for all commercial boat operators to provide and enforce the use of lifejackets on the boats always; and every commercial passenger boat must properly display its Boat Name Letters and Load line;

“Similarly, all unlicensed boats and watercrafts to be removed from the waterways; just as  all unlicensed boat drivers and operators are banned from operating any boat or watercraft on the waterways,” he said

He added that NIWA is calling on States, particularly the riverine states to collaborate with NIWA in the area of safety campaigns, training of boat operators and boat drivers, procurement and distribution of lifejackets, provision of landing platforms and deployment of modern passenger ferries.

Oyebamiji added that so far in 2025, NIWA reached more than 300 communities to sensitise them on the use of life jackets, adding that it was done to complement periodic safety campaigns in local languages on radio, television, newspapers, and digital platforms, adding that over 45,000 life jackets have been distributed across states.