For the past few years, Nigeria has been plagued by boat accidents that have resulted in the loss of many lives. What’s surprising is that even the northern part of the country, which doesn’t have many water bodies, has experienced its fair share of mishaps.

While boat accidents are more common in the southern part of the country, where there are heavy water bodies, it’s not unexpected. The southern states, especially in the Niger Delta region, the South West, and parts of the South-East, have coastal areas where water transport systems thrive. However, in the last three months, there has been an alarming increase in boat mishaps in the northern part of Nigeria, raising concerns about water transport management in the country, particularly in the northern states.

Let’s take a look at some of the recent boat accidents:

• September 4: A canoe capsized in Mayo Belwa, Adamawa State, resulting in the loss of two lives.
• September 8: Another canoe accident occurred in Yola, Adamawa State, where 15 people lost their lives.
• September 10: A boat capsized in Mokwa, Niger State, killing over 30 farmers.
• September 11: A boat overturned in Gurin, Adamawa State, with 11 bodies recovered and many more missing.
• June: Over 100 people died when a boat capsized in Patigi, Kwara State.

According to reports, in the last three months alone, approximately 936 people have lost their lives in water accidents across various states in Nigeria, including Lagos, Ondo, Niger, Taraba, Benue, Kwara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Cross-River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Anambra.

These recent boat mishaps have sparked anger among Nigerians, who are demanding more than just condolences and investigations from the government. They want concrete steps to be taken to address this alarming trend.

Experts believe that the government’s failure to establish an efficient and effective safety system in the waterways is to blame for the rising number of accidents. They question why boat operators don’t provide life jackets for their passengers and why some passengers are allowed to board without wearing them, even when they are available.

It is crucial for the government at all levels to prioritize the safety of water transport and take immediate action to prevent further loss of lives in boat accidents. Only through proactive measures and strict enforcement of safety regulations can we ensure the safety of Nigerians who rely on water transport systems.