Assessment of Safety Measures and Operational Challenges of Inland Waterway Transport along Oron - Calabar Route, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the safety measures and operational challenges of inland waterway transport along the Oron - Calabar route. Observation and structured questionnaires were used for the collection of data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were coded and analyzed using the 4- point Likert scale, which was converted to a relative importance index (RII) for each factor posing a challenge to operators. The result showed Safety equipment was provided onboard boats by operators. The RII computed showed that boat and engine replacement (RII = 0.874) was the most challenging factor, while water hyacinth (RII = 0.418) was the most minor factor. Other challenges were frequent lousy weather conditions, high running costs, floating logs and debris, extortion by law enforcement agents, difficulty in making headway against the opposite current, high price of safety equipment, passengers’ refusal to adhere to safety measures, and poor berthing facilities in their order of impact. Proper funding and enforcement of safety measures are at this moment recommended.