The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has raised concerns over the frequent overloading of barges transporting shipping containers on Nigeria’s inland waterways, warning that the practice poses significant safety risks and increases the likelihood of marine accidents.
The warning was delivered by the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Engr. Sarat Braimah, during the SCAN Dockworkers’ Day 2026 event organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Lagos.
Braimah said operators often overload barges in a bid to maximise profits from each trip, creating dangerous conditions for navigation and increasing the risk of collisions involving tugboats and other vessels operating on the waterways.
“To maximise profit per trip, operators frequently overload barges with shipping containers,” she said. “When these heavy containers are stacked too high or poorly arranged, they create a massive blind spot that completely blocks the tugboat captain’s forward visibility.”
She explained that excessive container stacking can obstruct a captain’s view, making navigation difficult and endangering other waterway users.
“Operating a vessel without a clear line of sight is incredibly dangerous. It makes it nearly impossible for a captain to spot oncoming traffic, sandbanks, or smaller passenger boats in time to avoid a collision,” she stated.
Represented at the event by the Assistant Manager of Marine Operations, Engr. Kelvin Abba, Braimah said NIWA has intensified monitoring and enforcement activities at loading docks to ensure compliance with established safety standards.
According to her, the authority is enforcing legal limits on container stacking and ensuring that wheelhouse visibility remains unobstructed to enhance navigational safety.
Nigeria’s inland waterways play a critical role in cargo transportation, particularly in Lagos, where barge operations have become increasingly important in easing pressure on the road network and facilitating cargo movement from the nation’s seaports. However, concerns over safety compliance have continued to attract regulatory attention as water transport activities expand.
“NIWA has been actively addressing critical safety gaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways,” she noted. “The most urgent concerns focus on improper barge loading, misapplied safety gear, and the severe hazards of marine litter, amongst many others.”
Braimah urged maritime workers and operators to comply strictly with safety regulations and adopt responsible operational practices to reduce accidents on the waterways.
“Safety on the water relies on a chain of smart choices. Securing the load properly, wearing the right vest for the task, and keeping trash out of the water ensures everyone makes it back to the jetty safely,” she said.
She also highlighted the growing concern over improper waste disposal on inland waterways, describing marine litter as a serious environmental and safety challenge that requires urgent attention.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to improving standards across the sector, Braimah said NIWA would continue working with industry stakeholders to promote sustainable maritime practices, strengthen safety measures, and support the development of a cleaner and more efficient inland water transport system.
She added that the authority remains committed to enhancing safety across Nigeria’s waterways while collaborating with industry partners to build a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous maritime sector for the country.
