By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT, Nigeria) investigative committee on boat accidents on Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways has confirmed that in 2023, over 300 deaths were recorded across Nigeria following passenger ferry accidents on the coastal and inland waterways.

Foremost maritime lawyer and the Nigerian President of the CILT, Mrs Mfon Usoro who made the disclosure in a statement, Thursday, has therefore called for a stringent application of safety awareness culture by operators and other stakeholders on the inland waterways.

According to her, an independent online investigation by the CILT Nigeria Publicity Committee revealed that over 300 lives were lost to different boat accidents across the country in 2023.

Giving a vivid explanation of available statistics of mishaps on the nation’s brown waters, Usoro who is the pioneer Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) detailed recently-recorded ferry and boat accident and fatalities which included 5 Nollywood actors and crew in Asaba, Delta State; 3 medical students in Calabar, Cross River State and 3 passengers in Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Also on record are 8 dead and estimated 100 persons declared missing in Borgu District, Niger State, 8 passengers in Anambra State, etc.

“Overwhelming cause of the ferry disasters were the occurrence of one or a combination of the following factors: overloading, non-use of lifejackets, adverse weather conditions, human error, sub-standard boats and ferries, mechanical failures like engine breakdown, inadequate safety measures, absence of navigational aids, non-availability of search and rescue services and regulatory gaps.,” she explained .

Safety of lives and property at sea and rivers, Usoro reminded Nigerians, should be of paramount concern to everyone especially in the light of recurring boat mishaps.

She regretted that the incidents not only result in tragic loss of lives but also pose significant economic and environmental risks.

The CILT boss stated that while there is massive clamour for the use of inland waterways to promote public transportation, it is regrettable and saddening that frequent loss of lives are being associated with passenger ferries in the coastal and inland waterways.

“While we support the use of inland waterways as an alternative and viable mode of transportation, the incessant ferry-related incidents resulting in fatalities has prompted a closer look at the deficit in safety culture and non-adherence to safety measures by the parties responsible for safety on our waters.

Usoro, the immediate-past Secretary-General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Ports State Control (otherwise known as the Abuja MoU) pointed out that as far as the CILT is concerned, all stakeholders that constitute the “circle of responsibility” in safety of water transportation must work in collaboration to improve safety consciousness of ferry operators, jetty owners and persons that use waterways transport.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President-General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria , MWUN, has commended the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) London Project Coordinator on Maritime Affiliate Support project( MAS), Mrs Barning Annica Marie who paid a working visit from London on April 22, 2024.

Comrade Adeyanju appreciated Mrs Annica Marie for finding time to visit Nigeria for the very first time since becoming the Coordinator of the MAS project. He acknowledged the tremendous role she has been playing on behalf of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in respect of the MAS project in the country.

Adeyanju who doubles as the Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described the MAS project as very significant in the lives of Nigerian seafarers as it stands to better the fortunes of the MWUN in terms of increase in membership.

The MAS project also promotes better negotiation on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with affiliate companies to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, a situation that will bring about and consolidate a minimum standard of remuneration (the NJIC) across board for all seafarers in Nigeria, where seafarers’ salaries are paid in hard currency.

He said the project also stands to put the country’s seafarers as the highest paid globally as well as enabling the seafarers get their certificate of competence seamlessly from NIMASA, amongst other advantages.

Mrs Annica In her response, Mrs Annica praised Comrade Adeyanju, who is also the Vice President of ITF Global, Executive Board Member, ITF Global and Chairman, ITF Africa, for his visionary leadership for the Union. She also appreciated him for his great passion for workers’ welfare and for inspiring women inclusiveness in the Union.

She promised to take back to ITF London reports of the huge progress so far made by the MWUN concerning the MAS project in Nigeria despite the challenges.

Mrs Annica promised to return to Nigeria in future to assess the progress and make sure that the MAS project hits its desired aim for the Union.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

Much as Nigeria cannot relegate to the background the human aspect in inland waterway operations, advanced monitoring and surveillance system remain the way to go to fully realize the country’s aims in this regard.

“There is need for our country to leverage on technologies such as satellite imagery, drones and sensors to enhance the ability to detect and respond to security threats real time. These tools not only help in preventing incidents but also assist in improving response time and minimizing the impact of any potential danger.”

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyga Oyetola disclosed this in Lagos, Thursday, in his keynote address at the Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting hosted by Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd. The event whose theme was “Security & New Technologies In Inland Waterways Transportation” brought together a cross-section of industry stakeholders, regulators and representatives of foreign nations with far-reaching experiences in managing inland waterways security and technology.

Speaking through Mrs Selia Ekanem, the Ministry’s Deputy Director, Cabotage and Shipping Development, the Minister underlined the need to train and equip the manpower in the industry with needed skills and knowledge to effectively utilize the technologies in reference as this is as crucial as implementing the tools themselves. He assured that as part of the roadmap for inland waterway transport development in Nigeria, government places premium on the need to stimulate and promote growth in the subsector for more efficiency, connectivity and reliability.

Government, he stressed, must focus on areas such as dredging key waterways, construction of new ports and terminals, improving navigational aids and safety measures, regulatory reforms, use of new technologies, etc. To achieve these, he promised, government will continue to work with her relevant agencies to overcome perceived challenges while aiming at achieving a robust and sustainable growth.

“Also, active private sector engagement, participation as well as investment in the sector will ensure the sustainability, safety and utilization of our inland waterways for the growth and development of our economy.”

He acknowledged the need for more work in the sector to ensure a more sustainable growth, pledging the readiness of government to work to meet expectations.

Speaking through Hajia Eri, an Assistant General Manager with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the regulatory agency’s Managing Director, Alhaji Munirudeen Oyebamiji stressed the need to sensitize stakeholders on global best standards in inland waterways operations.

Alhaji Munirudern Olabamiji, MD,
NIWA

He said that NIWA maintains a robust partnership with the Police, Immigration Services, among other security agencies to maintain security on the nation’s inland waterways.

In her presentation, the Chinese Consul-General, Ms. Yan Yuqing urged Nigeria to urgently adopt digitalization and intelligence as major tools to drive security and technology on her inland waterways transportation. These, she said, have consistently made the Changjiang River in China become the world’s busiest inland waterway transportation route, known for its high volume of traffic.

She noted that with a lot of similarities Nigeria shares with China in terms of important rivers, river-ports, expansive coastlines and seaports, the country stands a good stead to learn the trick of successful inland waterway transportation management and marine conservation.

“In 2022, China’s inland waterway transportation completed a freight volume of more than 4.4 billion tons and goods turnover of 1.9 trillion ton-kilometers, highlighting the significant support for the regional economic development and social progress.”

“In the sector, quality productivity forces are innovation-led, oppose damage to the ecological environment, promoting the low-carbonization of economic and social development, and the collaborative development of high-quality economic development and high-level protection of the environment.”

“Currently, China has established transportation links with more than 100 countries and regions in the world, and the size of the fleet owned by China’s shipping companies has reached 249.2 million gross tons, becoming the world’s largest shipowning nation in terms of gross tonnage. Waterway freight accounts for about 17% of the national freight volume, while its cargo turnover accounts for about 54% of the total turnover in the transportation system.”

“Maritime transportation handles about 95% of China’s foreign trade volume and plays a key role in maintaining the safety and stability of both international and domestic logistics supply chains,” she posited.

Some of the dignitaries at the April 18 Zoe Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting in Lagos.

She recalled that NIWA has mandated boat captains to undergo mandatory training sessions as a condition for certification.

While pointing out the high volume of non-seaworthy boats and vessels operating on the waterways, she called for inclusion of boat operators in the CVFF crafts acquisition arrangement to enable them procure modern boats.

At the sidelines of the event, attendees who spoke to Falcon Watch Online querried the absence of boat operators such as ATBOWATON, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and other critical stakeholders.

In her remarks earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Zoe Maritime Resources, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore said it is time Nigeria addressed numerous issues bedeviling inland waterways transportation in Nigeria.

Dignitaries in the event included Mr Temi Omatseye, ex- Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Senior Partner, Foundation Chambers, Mr. Chidi Ilogu (SAN); Founder, Ocean Ambassadors Forum (OAF), Mrs. Olaitan Williams and Secretary, Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs. Nneka Obianyor.

Others were: NPA’s General Manager (Security), Mr. Mohammed Khalil; CP Maritime Police, Olanrewaju Olawale Ishola (representing AIG Maritime Police Command, AIG Rhoda Olofu); Products Development Manager, Niger Benue Transport Company (NBTC), Engr. Uche Chibu who represented the NBTC Managing Director.