NIWA May Sanction Boat Operator Involved in Mishap over Night Sailing
The operator which boat capsized Friday in Lagos may be sanctioned for breaching regulations against night sailing, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has indicated.
About six passengers of the boat operated by Lalek Marine had drowned during the sad incident with 14 passengers surviving following rescue operations.
NIWA said the boat failed to observe the regulation not to operate anytime from 6pm which was introduced in Lagos state.
The Area Manager of NIWA, Mrs. Sarat Braimah , in a statement Sunday said the “ill-fated Lalek Marine boat which capsized Friday night with 14 passengers rescued, failed to adhere to 6pm sailing regime guiding water transportation services in Lagos.
“We at NIWA responded immediately and joined the Marine Police, LASWA and other concerned agencies to rescue the 14 passengers and also recovered six others already drowned, with one missing.
. “The MD of NIWA has directed that the Jetty be monitored by NIWA Police to avoid a re-occurrence of the incident and to enable NIWA conduct full investigation to this very sad but avoidable violation.
“The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, knew that some operators might be tempted to make quick money to make up for the lost opportunities and financial loss experienced during the lockdown and therefore, was futuristic and proactive to reduce the fees and charges, knowing the expected impact of the new normal on operators but, we can see from what happened that some operators are so uncaring and selfish to end the lives of innocent people through blatant violation of the rules of engagement.
“NIWA is still investigating the situation, looking at various scenarios and engaging other agencies and boat operators association to nip this type of avoidable incident in the bud”.
NIWA had recently waived some charges for operators in brown water as part of the COVID-19 measures and check on violations of regulations by operators.
About six passengers of the boat operated by Lalek Marine had drowned during the sad incident with 14 passengers surviving following rescue operations.
NIWA said the boat failed to observe the regulation not to operate anytime from 6pm which was introduced in Lagos state.
The Area Manager of NIWA, Mrs. Sarat Braimah , in a statement Sunday said the “ill-fated Lalek Marine boat which capsized Friday night with 14 passengers rescued, failed to adhere to 6pm sailing regime guiding water transportation services in Lagos.
“We at NIWA responded immediately and joined the Marine Police, LASWA and other concerned agencies to rescue the 14 passengers and also recovered six others already drowned, with one missing.
. “The MD of NIWA has directed that the Jetty be monitored by NIWA Police to avoid a re-occurrence of the incident and to enable NIWA conduct full investigation to this very sad but avoidable violation.
“The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, knew that some operators might be tempted to make quick money to make up for the lost opportunities and financial loss experienced during the lockdown and therefore, was futuristic and proactive to reduce the fees and charges, knowing the expected impact of the new normal on operators but, we can see from what happened that some operators are so uncaring and selfish to end the lives of innocent people through blatant violation of the rules of engagement.
“NIWA is still investigating the situation, looking at various scenarios and engaging other agencies and boat operators association to nip this type of avoidable incident in the bud”.
NIWA had recently waived some charges for operators in brown water as part of the COVID-19 measures and check on violations of regulations by operators.
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