The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on states to phase out the use of wooden boats.
He made this call while commiserating with the victims and families of the recent boat accident in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The Minister described the tragedy as deeply painful and extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of the federal government to all those affected.
Expressing sadness over the recurring loss of lives on Nigeria’s waterways, Oyetola reaffirmed the commitment of the federal government to prioritising waterways safety. He appealed 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.
“The time has come for a decisive break from outdated practices.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”, Oyetola 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.
He 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 stressed.