NIWA Moves To Phase Out Wooden Boats On Waterways
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has intensified efforts to phase out wooden boats across Nigeria’s waterways as part of measures to improve safety and reduce boat accidents.
The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Engr. Sarat Braimah, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by members of the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day Committee of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) to her office in Lagos.
Braimah said the initiative aligns with the safety agenda of the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Yusuf Girei, who has directed the agency to strengthen nationwide awareness campaigns on waterways safety.
According to her, safety remains a top priority for the authority, stressing that NIWA is committed to ensuring compliance with safety regulations by both passengers and operators.
She explained that the agency has intensified sensitisation campaigns to educate water users on the importance of safety measures, especially the use of life jackets.
Braimah noted that the campaigns have significantly improved safety consciousness among commuters on Lagos waterways, with passengers increasingly insisting that fellow travellers wear life jackets before boats depart jetties.
She added that regular inspections conducted by NIWA’s Marine Department have also contributed to improved safety standards, as boats operating on the waterways are routinely examined to ensure they are in good condition.
Speaking on the planned transition from wooden boats, Braimah said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is supporting efforts to introduce safer alternatives.
She, however, noted that the process would be gradual in order not to disrupt the livelihoods of operators who rely on wooden boats for transportation and commercial activities.
According to her, the Federal Government is also planning increased investment in modern boats through the current budget to accelerate the transition.
On revenue generation, the NIWA Area Manager said the authority has consistently surpassed its revenue targets, revealing that the agency had doubled the revenue it generated within the last three years.
