The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has intensified efforts to tackle the menace of boat accidents across the country following the recent mishap in Goronyo, Sokoto State, which claimed several lives.
In response to the tragedy, NEMA immediately mobilized search and rescue teams, relief materials and psychosocial support to the affected families, working in collaboration with state and local authorities. The Agency emphasized that its interventions go beyond emergency relief, as it continues to implement preventive strategies aimed at reducing the frequency of boat mishaps nationwide.
Under the leadership of its Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, NEMA has strengthened collaboration with the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Marine Police, and other relevant stakeholders to improve safety standards on waterways. The Agency identified common causes of accidents such as overloading, disregard for safety regulations, use of substandard vessels, night-time travel, and non-usage of life jackets, and is addressing them through a multi-pronged approach.
The Agency’s strategy includes:
* **Community Sensitization:** Ongoing public awareness campaigns in riverine communities on strict adherence to water transport safety practices.
* **Enforcement Support:** Collaboration with NIWA and maritime unions to ensure effective enforcement of water transport regulations.
* **Capacity Building:** Training of local volunteers and first responders in riverine areas on emergency response and rescue operations.
* **Early Warning Systems:** Deployment of technology-driven alerts to caution communities on hazardous weather conditions that could endanger boat travel.
* **Policy Advocacy:** Engagement with policymakers to strengthen regulations governing inland water transportation and ensure compliance.
Through these measures, NEMA aims to shift focus from only responding to disasters to preventing them by tackling underlying risk factors. The Agency maintained that ensuring safe and reliable water transportation is critical for protecting lives and supporting the livelihood of millions who depend on waterways.
20 August 2025
