Kwara Boat Carrying 200 Passengers without Life Jackets at 2.30am – NIWA
boat on high sea
*Vows to investigate, prosecute boat operator
By Francis Ugwoke
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Wednesday said that the disregard for laws regulating Inland waterways navigation was what led to the boat accident that claimed about 103 passengers.
Condoling the families of the deceased, NIWA in a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Jibril Darda’u, said the agency was deeply saddened by the boat mishap which occurred on 12th June, 2023, along the Jebba Lake channel in the Lafiagi-Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“We condole with the families of those that have lost their loved ones, and are particularly concerned with the huge number of casualties”, the statement said.
However, describing the accident as clearly an unfortunate and avoidable one, the statement said “preliminary investigations through our Area Manager in Minna/Kwara Area Office revealed that the boat driver and wedding guests were on the ill-fated voyage about 2:30am, which speaks volumes about the disregard for the laws regulating Inland Waterways navigation”.
The statement added, “ Furthermore, for a wooden boat to have allegedly been carrying more than 200 passengers at once without using life jackets and sailing in the night was certainly gross-overloading and misconduct.
“While we extend our commiserations to the government and people of Kwara State, we will in line with extant laws and regulations, investigate this callous incident and prosecute those found culpable.
“NIWA as an Authority will not fold its arms and allow reckless boat operators flaunting our safety guidelines and killing innocent commuters”.
By Francis Ugwoke
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Wednesday said that the disregard for laws regulating Inland waterways navigation was what led to the boat accident that claimed about 103 passengers.
Condoling the families of the deceased, NIWA in a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Jibril Darda’u, said the agency was deeply saddened by the boat mishap which occurred on 12th June, 2023, along the Jebba Lake channel in the Lafiagi-Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“We condole with the families of those that have lost their loved ones, and are particularly concerned with the huge number of casualties”, the statement said.
However, describing the accident as clearly an unfortunate and avoidable one, the statement said “preliminary investigations through our Area Manager in Minna/Kwara Area Office revealed that the boat driver and wedding guests were on the ill-fated voyage about 2:30am, which speaks volumes about the disregard for the laws regulating Inland Waterways navigation”.
The statement added, “ Furthermore, for a wooden boat to have allegedly been carrying more than 200 passengers at once without using life jackets and sailing in the night was certainly gross-overloading and misconduct.
“While we extend our commiserations to the government and people of Kwara State, we will in line with extant laws and regulations, investigate this callous incident and prosecute those found culpable.
“NIWA as an Authority will not fold its arms and allow reckless boat operators flaunting our safety guidelines and killing innocent commuters”.
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