Reps task NIWA on boat standards, licensing

The House of Representatives has called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to establish standards for boat construction, license boat builders, and conduct annual inspections to guarantee the seaworthiness of vessels.

This resolution came after the adoption of an urgent motion presented by Rep. Joshua Gana (PDP-Niger) during a session in Abuja on Tuesday.

In his remarks, Gana highlighted the tragic incident on October 2 in the River Niger, where at least 80 bodies were recovered—74 deceased, six rescued, and around 200 still unaccounted for. He noted that the victims primarily consisted of women and children who were aboard a wooden vessel that capsized in Mokwa.

The lawmaker pointed out that the locally constructed boat had a designed capacity of 100 passengers but was reportedly carrying over 300 individuals at the time of the accident. He mentioned that this marked the second significant disaster in Niger, referencing another boat mishap that resulted in more than 100 fatalities 18 months prior.

Gana emphasized that many recent boat disasters in Nigeria can be attributed to regulatory lapses, often linked to issues such as overloading and inadequate maintenance of vessels.

Upon adopting the motion, the House urged NIWA to begin enforcement of regulations and set up training centers nationwide to educate boat operators.

Additionally, the House requested that the Nigerian Navy take responsibility for policing waterways, and called for the establishment of a Coastal Guard command in the River Niger region for both national and international waters.

The lawmakers also urged HYPERDEC and NIWA to ensure the provision of life jackets and flotation devices for all passengers traveling by water.

Furthermore, the House asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide humanitarian aid and relief supplies to the families affected by the tragedy in Niger and Kwara states.

To ensure these resolutions are implemented, the House mandated the committees on Inland Waterways and Legislative Compliance to oversee the process.