Perform the use of the rescue jacket to curb accidents from boat, NSIB urges the states

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has invited state governments to make the use of compulsory rescue jackets for all passengers of boats as part of a wider effort to curb avoidable deaths on the nation’s waterways.

This appeal was created by the Director of the NSIB transport manager, Abdullahi Babanya, in an interview while highlighting the expanded mandate of the Bureau to investigate transport accidents beyond the aviation, including marine, railway and road accidents.

Babanya described the frequency of mortal accidents of boats as alarming, citing a recent tragedy in Shiroro, Niger’s state, where a boat transported 39 passengers turned upside down, leaving 13 deaths. He revealed that only seven of the passengers wore life jackets – and all seven survived.

“This clearly shows the life -saving importance of the rescue jackets,” said Babanya. “It is a simple but crucial size. If all passengers had used rescue jackets, most of those deaths would have been prevented.”

Babanya said that NSIB immediately sent a team from Abuja to Shiroro after learning the accident through the social and mainstream media.

The team has collected preliminary data, now analyzed for a formal relationship and security recommendations.

Following the signing of the law on the NSIB institution of 2022, the mandate of the Bureau now includes investigations on road, railway and marine transport accidents.

Babanya said that the Bureau began to train new investigators, install traffic data recorders and expand its workshops – including a new laboratory of material sciences – to support this wider operational area.

“We have also recruited a new staff, many of whom will resume by September. The training has been structured to equip them with the skills necessary for independent and in -depth investigations in all methods of transport,” he said.

Speaking on safety issues in the Nigeria railway sector, Babanya denounced the drops in safety, theft of infrastructures such as railway and dormant clips and the absence of protective fences on thousands of kilometers of tracks.

“There is a very thin line between safety and safety,” he observed. “In countries where the railway system is fixed, these problems are rare. Here, animals and people wander on the tracks and thieves vandalizing public infrastructures. This must be faced with better surveillance and protection.”

He explained that, under the old system, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) operated, regulated and studied railway accidents, a model subject to conflicts of interest.

“Now, NSIB brings an independent supervision. When accidents occur, the NRC must notify NSIB for impartial investigations,” he added.

Babanya also answered questions about recent concerns in the aviation sector. He underlined the distinct roles of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a regulator and NSIB as an independent investigator.

“When an accident occurs, NSIB investigates and formulates security recommendations. Through collaboration with NCAA, we monitor compliance,” he said.

“Sometimes, despite our recommendations, there are implementation gaps. But we continue the follow-ups and audits at the system level to reduce the risk.

As the transport victims continue to make news, NSIB has invited all interested parties – from state governments to transport operators – to carry out active roles in the implementation of security measures, including public awareness and regulatory application.

“Both on the ground, water, track or air, security must be everyone’s priority. The difference between life and death could be simple as wearing a rescue jacket,” said Babanya.

He reiterated that the NSIB would continue to push for reforms and build the ability to make the non -safer and more responsible Nigeria transport systems.

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