Maiguwa Faults Minister’s Call for Night Travel Ban

…Advocates Safer Alternatives

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

In the wake of renewed calls by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to ban night water transportation and phase out wooden boats, maritime stakeholder, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa has described such measures as a “lazy approach” that undermines global best practices and threatens legitimate businesses.

Dr. Oyetola, citing recurring boat mishaps and loss of lives, urged state governments to outlaw wooden boats and discourage night travel, insisting that fibre and aluminium vessels offer safer alternatives. He emphasized that poor visibility at night and reliance on rickety boats remained major contributors to accidents on Nigeria’s waterways.

But Maiguwa, President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), countered that banning night travel is neither sustainable nor compatible with international standards. According to him, extending economic activities into the night is vital for growth, and with the right safety measures, Nigeria can achieve safe night navigation just like other maritime nations.

According to Maiguwa, the following practical steps to ensure safety, is all it requires to fix the challenge:

-Deployment of seaworthy boats designed to withstand operational challenges.

-Training of crew to handle navigation and emergencies effectively.

-Well-marked navigable routes to guide vessels even under low visibility.

-Implementation of Small Crafts regulations already embedded in the Marine and Blue Policy, and:

-Adoption of technology to enhance monitoring and safety compliance.

He stressed that life jackets, while important, are not preventive measures, noting that recent accidents revealed fatalities despite passengers wearing them. “Life jackets minimize loss of life, but they do not stop accidents. What we need are proactive measures that prevent accidents altogether,” he said.

Maiguwa further argued that blanket bans would stifle economic activity and punish legitimate operators instead of addressing root causes. “The focus should be on safety enforcement, not restrictions. With seaworthy boats, trained personnel, and proper regulation, night water travel can be safe and economically beneficial,” he added.

If the minister’s directive on ban are to be implemented, what happens to government official businesses and operations at night, such as marine security activities often embarked upon by the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigerian Police?

While the Minister insists on phasing out wooden boats and discouraging night journeys, Maiguwa’s position highlights a more balanced approach, one that prioritizes safety without shutting down opportunities for growth. His call underscores the need for Nigeria to align with global maritime practices, where technology, regulation, monitoring and enforcement, not bans, ensure safe and efficient waterways tranvels.