By Cynthia Alo
The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has warned cargo barge operators against the dangerous practice of overloading containers beyond approved limits, saying the trend poses a serious threat to safety on Lagos inland waterways.
Speaking at the 2026 Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s (SCAN) Dockworkers’ Day in Lagos, the Lagos Area Manager, NIWA, Engr Sarat Braimah, said the overloaded barges pose a risk of accidents to oncoming tugboats and others.
According to her, safety in the maritime sector is non-negotiable, adding that a single poor decision by maritime personnel doesn’t just damage cargo but directly endangers human lives and the environment.
She said, “To maximise profit per trip, operators frequently overload barges with shipping containers. 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.
“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.
Braimah, who was represented by the Assistant Manager, Marine Operations, Engr Kelvin Abba, said NIWA has stepped up monitoring and enforcement at loading docks to ensure that container stacks adhere to legal height limits and maintain clear, unobstructed visibility from the wheelhouse.
“NIWA has been actively addressing critical safety gaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways. The most urgent concerns focus on improper barge loading, misapplied safety gear, and the severe hazards of marine litter among many others,” she stated.
She encouraged maritime workers to strictly comply with safety rules, saying, “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 ensure everyone makes it back to the jetty safely.”
NIWA commended SCAN for creating what it described as a vital platform for advancing sustainable port development and pledged continued collaboration with all industry stakeholders toward building “a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous maritime sector for Nigeria.”
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