Strengthen inland waterways regulations, MOWCA urges FG

The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa has charged Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and others to tighten the enforcement of Safety of Life at Sea procedures on inland waterways transportation in the region.

Member states were also cautioned to strengthen regulations on vessel seaworthiness, prevent overloading, avoid night travel where there are no navigational aids and enforce the use of safety equipment, including functioning life jackets for each passenger according to ferry capacity.

The Secretary-General of MOWCA, Dr Paul Adalikwu, stated that recently while expressing condolences to the governments of Nigeria and the DRC over recent boat accidents in both countries.

Recall that on October 1, a boat carrying over 300 passengers in Gbajibo for a religious event capsized in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

Similarly, in the DRC, at least 78 people drowned and many more remain missing after a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on October 3, hundreds of meters from the shore of Lake Kivu.

Adalikwu extended the sympathies of the MOWCA to the affected West and Central African nations.

He described them as strategic partners in the organisation’s mission to promote safer and more cost-effective maritime transportation in the subregion.

“State and non-state actors should familiarise themselves with SOLAS procedures, especially Chapters 3 and 4, which cover the provision of life-saving appliances and radio communication equipment on boat operators,” Adalikwu stated.

He emphasised that MOWCA would continue partnering with member countries to promote safe practices and offer technical support to help nations harness their marine resources for fisheries, transportation, hydropower, agriculture, tourism and other sectors in the marine value chain.

Meanwhile, the National President, WABOTAN Babatope Fejemirokun, expressed concern over the recent boat accident.

Fajemirokun highlighted several human factors contributing to recent tragedies, including rough water waves leading to boat damage, overloading, lack of life jackets, and nighttime travel.

He urged NIWA to intensify its safety awareness campaigns and more effectively enforce regulatory policies to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s waterways.