Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, disclosed this in Abuja, stating that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), is driving the initiative.
He said, “The minister is looking at a new way of making boats in Nigeria to phase out all these rickety wooden boats that are very easy to capsize.
“You see, the kinds of boats that are being put to use on our waters are not even boats that somebody should put on the water.”
He attributed the prevalence of unsafe boats to the lack of a professional boat-building industry in Nigeria, noting that even smaller neighbouring countries have advanced in the local fabrication of safe watercraft.
“Because we have not properly professionalised boat making in Nigeria, that is why today we are still using wooden boats. But all of these are in the master plan — the blueprint that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has just inaugurated recently. Plans are there to fabricate proper boats with the right specifications,” he explained.
Akutah emphasised that the newly unveiled marine and blue economy policy would lead to tangible progress within a year, particularly in tackling boat mishaps.
“The minister is leveraging the knowledge, experience and expertise of staff to brainstorm on ideas to transform the marine sector and enhance safety,” he stated.
He commended the federal government’s recent efforts to distribute life jackets across various states but stressed the importance of consistent usage by passengers and operators. He also called for the creation of a dedicated coastal guard unit to guide boat users, especially during night navigation.
Beyond water safety, Akutah said the Shippers’ Council is intensifying efforts to promote secure and well-planned vehicle transit parks across hinterlands to reduce road accidents and support inland logistics.
He said, “Vehicle transit parks are one of our mandates, and we are also promoting the development of inland dry ports to bring porting facilities closer to shippers.
“The Nigerian Shippers Council undertook a study which showed that most of the accidents we have on our roads today are as a result of fatigued drivers.”
According to the NSC boss, the African Charter on vehicular movement caps driving time at seven continuous hours, a rule often ignored due to the lack of rest stops.
“The development of transit parks is not only to create critical transport infrastructure, but also to avoid accidents and ensure cargo security. These parks will allow drivers to rest in a secure environment with other economic activities,” he added.
Akutah reaffirmed the council’s commitment to aligning with government economic policies, working with public and private stakeholders to drive sustained growth in the port and logistics sectors.
