The Federal Government has called on state governments across Nigeria to stop the use of wooden boats and adopt safer alternatives made of fibre and aluminium in order to reduce accidents and modernize water transport.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the appeal in a statement condoling with victims and families of the recent boat mishap in Shagari, Sokoto State.
Oyetola noted that the frequent tragedies on waterways are largely due to the continued reliance on unsafe wooden vessels.
“Despite the ministry’s interventions, including the nationwide distribution of 3,500 life jackets to each riverine state, incidents of boat mishaps persist, mainly because of the widespread use of wooden boats,” he said.
The Minister explained that the structural weaknesses of wooden boats make them unsafe for commercial operations, particularly when overloaded, and therefore should be phased out.
He stressed that fibre and aluminium boats, which are sturdier, safer, and more durable, have become the global standard for inland and coastal transport.
Oyetola urged states with large riverine populations to invest in these modern boats, describing such action as both life-saving and economically strategic.
“Life jackets alone cannot guarantee safety without safe boats. We must deliberately invest in fibre and aluminium vessels. This is the seed we must sow today to secure a safer, more prosperous tomorrow,” he added.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing safety standards on waterways, including the mandatory use of life jackets.
