NIWA Begins Strict Enforcement of Life Jacket Use on Niger, Kwara Waterways

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Niger-Kwara Area Office, has commenced the strict enforcement of life jacket use for passengers boarding boats across its operational areas.

The enforcement exercise kicked off on Saturday at the Gabgibo waterfront in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, as part of the authority’s renewed efforts to promote safety and reduce accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Speaking during the flag-off of the 2025 sensitisation campaign, tagged “Safety and Safe Trip: Zero Tolerance to Boat Mishap – No Life Jacket, No Boarding,” the Area Manager, Mr. Akapo Adeboye, said the measure aligns with NIWA’s regulatory mandate to safeguard lives and property.

Adeboye emphasised that passengers and boat operators must adhere strictly to safety rules, stressing that the use of life jackets is now compulsory for boarding vessels.

He warned that defaulters would face sanctions in accordance with inland waterways regulations.

“We are taking this campaign seriously because too many lives have been lost to avoidable boat mishaps. From today, it is mandatory for every passenger and boat operator to wear a life jacket before embarking on any trip. Without it, there will be no boarding,” he said.

The sensitisation exercise drew community leaders, boat operators, and residents of Gabgibo and surrounding riverine areas, who were urged to cooperate with NIWA officials in ensuring full compliance.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the enforcement campaign will be extended to all waterfronts and jetties within Niger and Kwara States.

The initiative comes amid recurring incidents of boat accidents across the country, often linked to poor safety practices, overloading, and non-use of life jackets. NIWA said its renewed enforcement drive is designed to instill a safety culture among riverine communities and prevent needless tragedies on the waterways.