NIWA Distributes Life Jackets, Advises Ogun Residents On Waterway Safety
Residents of Ogun State, especially those living along the riverine areas, have been urged to be safety-conscious and make use of life jackets while they are on waterways to cut down on avoidable loss of life during accidents.
The Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Abeokuta, Adeleye Ipinmoroti, made this call on Wednesday during the sensitisation programme and distribution of life jackets to the residents of Akomoje Waterside in the Abeokuta North Local Government area of the state.
Speaking at the sensitisation programme, which was supported by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy on Wednesday, Ipinmoroti also warned against the intake of alcohol before paddling their boat, overloading, over-speeding and also working at night, as indulging in any of these behaviours could hamper their safety while on waterways.
He lamented that many lives are lost each year due to preventable accidents, often caused by negligence.
The NIWA area manager emphasised the importance of wearing lifejackets on waterways, calling it the first line of defence against drowning.
According to him, compliance with waterway regulations is mandatory, and anyone found violating the rules will face penalties.
“Tragically, many lives are lost each year due to preventable accidents, often because individuals neglect to wear lifejackets. A lifejacket is the first line of defence against drowning. It keeps you afloat, allowing you time to signal for help.
“Wearing a lifejacket is not just wise; it’s mandated by law in many jurisdictions. Awareness and Responsibility: By adopting the principle of One Man, One Lifejacket, we advocate for personal responsibility. Each person must take ownership of their safety,” he said.
Ipinmoroti asserted that before going on the water, they must comply with all the regulations guiding the waterways, adding that any infraction would be penalised.
Delivering his lecture on the importance of life jackets, the Unit Head Marine, NIWA, Abeokuta area office, Owolabi Olamuyiwa, noted that there are cardinal guidelines governing people using the waterways.
Olamuyiwa stated that life jackets are mandatory safety equipment required and residents must always use the ones approved by Safety Of Life At Sea.
“It is one of the mandatory safety equipment required on river crafts. Life jackets come in different sizes. The one to be worn must be approved by the Safety of Life at Sea.
If you do not panic and stay calm, you can survive and keep floating with a life jacket for at least three days.
“Don’t travel at night, the time given is between 6am and 6 p.m. Any journey embarked on water after this time is considered contradictory; you would be held liable. You should not overspeed and overload; these are some preventive measures to guide against boat mishaps.
“Also, we are saying anyone who will operate the rivercraftrafts, the boats or vessels must not get drunk, don’t drink if you want to go on the water as an operator, or you will be arrested. Anyone who will operate in the inland waterway, especially using the craft, must be licensed by NIWA because there are some trainings you are expected to acquire,” he explained.
In his goodwill address, Commander, Police, NIWA Abeokuta area office, SP Oso Opeyemi, advised the residents to make good use of the life jackets distributed and not just dump them at home.
He stressed that it is criminal for anyone to enter the water body without wearing a life jacket, disclosing that river marshals and other security agencies are monitoring the water for enforcement.
“Going on water is equal to suicide, and anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted. It’s either you serve a jail term for one year or pay a fine of N10,000 upwards,” he stated.
Recall that in October 2025, about 26 people drowned when a boat carrying traders capsized on the River Niger in Kogi State.
Kogi Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement that the passengers had been travelling from the district of Ibaji in Kogi State to a market in Ilushi, in neighbouring Edo State, when their vessel overturned.
Boat mishaps are common in Nigeria, where operators often overload vessels and ignore safety regulations such as the use of life jackets, despite repeated warnings from authorities.
Accidents tend to spike during the rainy season when rivers swell and currents are strengthened
Boats remain a crucial form of transport in rural parts of Nigeria, where road infrastructure is often inadequate, but the enforcement of safety standards is expected to help reduce these ugly incidents.
