FG Calls for Ban on Wooden Boats to Reduce Waterway Accidents. The Federal Government has called on state governments to ban wooden boats for commercial water transportation and adopt safer fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium vessels, citing recurring and avoidable waterway accidents. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, emphasized that wooden boats are unstable, deteriorate quickly, and are highly prone to capsizing, unlike fibre and aluminium vessels which are more durable and safer. Dr. Oyetola urged strict adherence to water safety regulations, warning against night travel, overloading, and the use of rickety vessels, while stressing the importance of wearing life jackets. He disclosed that 35,000 life jackets were distributed to riverine states in 2025 and called for stronger collaboration with state governments to improve safety, noting that water transport remains critical to Nigeria’s blue economy. @asovilladigital

FG Calls for Ban on Wooden Boats to Reduce Waterway Accidents. The Federal Government has called on state governments to ban wooden boats for commercial water transportation and adopt safer fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium vessels, citing recurring and avoidable waterway accidents. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, emphasized that wooden boats are unstable, deteriorate quickly, and are highly prone to capsizing, unlike fibre and aluminium vessels which are more durable and safer. Dr. Oyetola urged strict adherence to water safety regulations, warning against night travel, overloading, and the use of rickety vessels, while stressing the importance of wearing life jackets. He disclosed that 35,000 life jackets were distributed to riverine states in 2025 and called for stronger collaboration with state governments to improve safety, noting that water transport remains critical to Nigeria’s blue economy. @asovilladigital