The National Inland Waterways Authority has stationed personnel along Niger’s waterfronts to enforce the compulsory use of life jackets strictly.

Its area manager at the Minna office, Akapo Adeboye, said this during the 2026 Sensitisation and Enlightenment Campaign on Inland Waterways Regulations held at Zumba Waterfront in Shiroro council area of Niger.

The campaign, tagged ‘Total Safety Measures and Compliance on the Nation’s Inland Waterways’, was organised by NIWA as part of its sustained efforts to sensitise boat operators and passengers on the need to comply with safety regulations.

Mr Adeboye said the authority had distributed 3,500 life jackets to boat operators at various waterfronts across the state. He, however, expressed concern that some operators failed to use the jackets or provide them for passengers during journeys.

“Some boat operators charge passengers additional fees for using life jackets while boarding boats and canoes. This discourages passengers from using the safety equipment.

“The safety of lives and property is paramount to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and we must ensure full compliance with water safety measures, particularly the use of life jackets.

“Every boat operator and passenger must wear a life jacket before boarding a boat. Anyone found violating this regulation will face the law,” he warned.

However, some boat operators who spoke during the campaign complained about the inadequate supply of life jackets.

One of the operators, Adamu Gunduma, said, “My boat can carry 300 passengers, but I have only seven life jackets. I use one jacket myself and distribute the remaining six to passengers on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Similarly, another operator, Saidu Sani, said his boat had capacity for 40 passengers, but he had no life jacket for himself or his passengers.

Abubakar Mamman-Kwanu, an operator, called for more life jackets, including donations, to help operators equip their boats adequately.

Another operator, Adamu Tanko, said his boat could carry 150 passengers, but he only has three life jackets for himself and his passengers.

The operators also expressed concern over the high cost of life jackets in the market, which they put at about N20,000 each. They argued that reducing the price to between N5,000 and N6,000 would make the safety equipment more affordable, enabling passengers to purchase their own jackets.

They further noted that the rising cost of life jackets, coupled with declining prices of agricultural produce, could make it difficult for farmers to afford the equipment at prevailing market rates.

The operators explained that farmers constituted a significant proportion of water transport users and would be particularly affected by the high cost of life jackets. They therefore called for increased government support and lower market prices for life jackets to improve compliance with waterway safety regulations.

(NAN)