The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has adduced reasons for the Niger State boat tragedy on Tuesday, October 1.
The Authority stated that 70 dead bodies have been recovered from the water, even as rescue efforts continues.
Recall that on Tuesday night, October 1, a wooden boat carrying 300 passengers capsized in the Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
However, reports stated that following the combined efforts of the Niger State National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and local divers, 70 bodies have been recovered. While 150 passengers have been rescued. The search for the remaining missing passengers is still ongoing, the report stated.
Speaking on the incident, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Sarat Braimah, accused the boat operators of violating regulations by sailing at 8:30 pm. She stated that operated against the water transportation code banning night sailing.
Braimah, however, absolved NIWA of negligence in the incident. She clarified that the four water marshals assigned to the area had already completed their shifts and left the jetty by 8:00 pm. While the ill-fated boat departed at 8:30 pm without their knowledge.
NIWA has attributed the tragedy to several violations, including overloading (the boat carried 300 passengers). The use of a substandard wooden boat lacking navigational aids, the absence of safety vests, and night sailing.
Braimah, however, announced plans to deploy more water marshals to Niger State and other northern regions to forestall further occurrence. She noted that night sailing is common in the region, but ensured the provision of 24-hour surveillance.
Braimah expressed concern about the prevalence of boat capsize in the North, labeling it a significant challenge.
She stated that NIWA has also introduced a recently gazette transportation code, which imposes penalties for safety violations. The Area Manager stated that the Authority has been actively sensitizing the public on these regulations.
She noted that in addition to stepping up enforcement, NIWA has deployed a modern ferry to Niger State. This, she said, is expected to be operational next week.
Braimah also stated that NIWA has established training centers across the country. This, she said is to educate boat operators, particularly in the North where formal training is limited.
She further revealed that NIWA sets standards for boat construction, licensing boat builders, and conducting annual inspections to ensure seaworthiness.
“The authority also collaborates with other agencies, including NEMA and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), to enhance waterway safety.
Braimah stated that the Gbajibo River is notorious for boat accidents. She pointed out that a similar incident occurred in September 2023, when a boat carrying 50 passengers capsized. The incident resulted in the death of 24 people en-route to their farms in the State.
source: Vanguard
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