By Steve Agbota
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has appealed to state governments to urgently invest in modern, non-wooden boats for commercial operations in their states.
He stated this when commiserating with the victims and families of the recent boat accident in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, saying littoral states have to phase out wooden boats to curb accidents on our waterways.
The minister described the tragedy as deeply painful and extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of the federal government to all those affected.
The minister expressed sadness over the recurring loss of lives on Nigeria’s waterways, stressing that the fatalities are both painful and avoidable.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to prioritising waterways safety, while appealing to state governments to urgently complement these efforts by investing in modern, non-wooden boats for commercial operations in their states.
The minister noted that, despite the ministry’s recent interventions, including the nationwide distribution of 3,500 life jackets to each riverine state, incidents of boat mishaps have persisted largely due to the widespread use of wooden boats.
According to him, the structural weaknesses of wooden boats make them unsafe for modern commercial operations.
He further explained that wooden boats cannot withstand the scale of haulage they are now subjected to, especially under conditions of overloading, thereby making them even more prone to accidents.
“The time has come for a decisive break from outdated practices. Wooden boats have served their time, but they cannot be the future of water transport in Nigeria. The tragic mishaps we continue to witness are a direct consequence of the continued reliance on unsafe vessels. We must now chart a safer course for our people,” he declared.
He emphasised that fibre and aluminium boats, being sturdier, safer, and more durable, represent the global standard for inland and coastal waterway transport.
He called on state governments, particularly those with large riverine populations, to urgently invest in these modern boats, describing such investments as both life-saving and economically strategic.
“Our ministry has mandated the compulsory use of life jackets, and we have supplied them in thousands to riverine states. But life jackets alone cannot guarantee safety without safe boats. I therefore appeal to our state governments to complement the federal government’s efforts by deliberately investing in fibre and aluminium boats. This is the seed we must sow today to secure a safer, more prosperous tomorrow,” the minister said.
Oyetola stressed that water transport holds immense promise for easing pressure on Nigeria’s roads, boosting commerce, and unlocking the vast potential of the blue economy.
However, he warned that unless wooden boats and substandard vessels are phased out, the nation risks undermining public confidence in waterways as a safe and reliable mode of transport.
“The blue economy is one of the great frontiers of Nigeria’s growth. For it to thrive, Nigerians must be assured of safety on our waters. The federal government cannot achieve this alone. It requires partnership and investment from our state governments. The safety of our people must be our collective priority,” he said.
The ministry assured Nigerians that it remains resolute in its commitment to improving waterways safety through stronger regulation, compliance enforcement, and collaboration with states, private investors, and boat manufacturers.
“Every life lost on our waterways is one too many. The time for action is now. Together, let us consign wooden boats to history and embrace the standard that guarantees safety, confidence, and prosperity for our riverine communities and the nation at large,” the minister added.
