The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have commenced discussions to strengthen inter-agency collaboration aimed at improving safety across Nigeria’s waterways.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, announced the development on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the NSIB. The talks focus on creating a more integrated approach to maritime safety and the prevention of accidents on the country’s inland and coastal waters.
This partnership is expected to bridge the gap between accident investigation and policy implementation, ensuring that the findings from maritime mishaps lead to tangible changes in safety regulations and enforcement.
The NSIB is tasked with the independent investigation of accidents in the aviation, maritime, and rail sectors. Unlike regulatory bodies, the bureau’s primary objective is not to apportion blame or liability, but to determine the causes of accidents to prevent their recurrence. The FMMBE, established under the current administration to oversee the “Blue Economy,” provides the broader policy framework for shipping, fisheries, and maritime transport.
During the meeting with the NSIB delegation, Mrs Mahmood emphasised the need for synergy between the two bodies to reduce the frequency of boat mishaps and other maritime casualties that continue to claim lives across the Niger Delta and other riverine areas.
Waterway Safety and the Blue Economy
The push for stronger collaboration comes at a time when the Federal Government is attempting to diversify the economy by leveraging the Blue Economy. This sector encompasses the sustainable use of ocean and inland water resources for economic growth, including transport, tourism, and resource extraction.
However, the viability of the Blue Economy depends heavily on the safety and security of Nigeria’s waterways. Frequent reports of overcrowded vessels, lack of life-saving equipment, and poor navigational aids have historically hindered the development of water transport as a reliable alternative to road travel.
Industry analysts note that while the NSIB often produces detailed reports on the causes of maritime accidents, the implementation of the recommended safety measures often stalls due to a lack of coordination between the investigating body and the policy-making ministry. The current dialogue seeks to resolve these bottlenecks by establishing a formal mechanism for the ministry to act upon NSIB’s safety recommendations.
The collaboration will also likely involve the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), both of which fall under the ministry’s oversight. Coordination between these agencies is critical for the enforcement of passenger manifests and vessel certifications.
The two agencies are now expected to develop a formal framework for information sharing and joint safety audits. The next step involves the drafting of a memorandum of understanding to define the operational boundaries and communication channels between the ministry and the bureau.
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