Nigeria's inland waterways face mounting safety risks from dangerously overloaded container barges, the National Inland Waterways Authority warned this week. Mrs Sarat Braimah, NIWA's Lagos Area Manager, called the practice reckless and a serious threat to water users.
Braimah made the remarks on Thursday at Lagos during celebrations marking the 2026 Dockworkers' Day. The Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria organized the event under the theme "Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers."
Operators routinely overload barges to squeeze more profit from each trip, she explained. This excessive stacking creates dangerous blind spots that block tugboat captains' vision during navigation.
"Operating any vessel without a clear line of sight is extremely dangerous for everyone using Nigeria's inland waterways," she noted. Captains cannot see approaching vessels, sandbanks, or floating debris in time to avoid disaster.
Such conditions dramatically increase collision risks and capsizing incidents. Loss of life becomes far more likely under these circumstances.
NIWA has ramped up monitoring at loading points across Lagos and major inland terminals. Container stacks must now stay within approved height limits and maintain clear wheelhouse visibility before vessels receive clearance to depart.
Improper loading represents just one of several acute safety challenges on inland waterways. Misuse of safety equipment and marine litter also plague operations.
"Safety on water depends on a chain of smart, responsible and consistent choices," Braimah said. Proper cargo securing, correct life jacket usage, and responsible waste disposal are non-negotiable.
Indiscriminate waste dumping continues poisoning Nigeria's waterways. Plastics and debris damage vessels, clog navigation channels, and destroy aquatic habitats.
Managing waste requires commitment from everyone involved in port operations. Operators, dockworkers, and port users all share this responsibility equally.
NIWA remains dedicated to advancing sustainable maritime practices across navigable waterways. The authority will keep partnering with regulators, labour unions, and industry players to strengthen the sector.
Alhaji Aminu Umar, President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, emphasized that sustainability now drives investment and global trade competitiveness. Regulatory compliance and operational efficiency have become mandatory requirements.
Green ports integrate environmental responsibility with innovation and worker welfare. They're not simply about meeting environmental rules.
"Over 80 per cent of global trade by volume moves by sea," Umar stressed. Ports must cut emissions and energy use while staying competitive in world markets.
Creating structures that support sustainable operations requires government commitment and private sector cooperation. Both sides must work together to achieve meaningful progress.
