The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the federal, state, and local governments to make it a criminal offence for passengers to board boats without wearing life jackets.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group’s Executive Director, Professor Isiaq Akintola, expressed concern over the rising number of boat accidents in the country, many of which have claimed numerous lives this year.
Akintola attributed the frequent mishaps largely to the use of old, unsafe boats by private operators. He urged authorities to invest in modern ferry transportation systems, similar to those in Lagos State, as a safer alternative for waterway travel.
MURIC further recommended the establishment of coast guards and waterways services across all 774 local government areas to strengthen safety oversight and emergency response.
“Boarding boats without life jackets or operating commercial boats without providing them should be criminalized,” Akintola stated.
“Nigeria’s federal, state, and local governments should invest in modern ferry transportation and train personnel for coast guard and waterways services.”
The organisation maintained that stricter regulations and improved infrastructure would significantly reduce the tragic loss of lives on Nigeria’s waterways.
