Nigeria’s Inland Waterways Regulatory Agency Prosecutes Reckless Boat Operators

The Management of the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA says it will prosecute the ‘reckless Operators’ of the ill-fated Commercial boat involved in the Boat Mishap in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria.

In a statement by General Manager, of Corporate Affairs of the agency, Mr. Jibril Dar’dau, says the Boat mishap which occurred on 12th June 2023, along the Jebba Lake channel in Lafiagi-Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, in North Central Nigeria, could have been avoided if the operators of the ill-fated Commercial boat had applied safety measures, such as the use of life jackets that were not used by the victims.

NIWA said in the statement in Lokoja that the boat accident which killed 103 passengers on board, was an avoidable accident on the river Niger, as the agency laments its occurrence.

“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 at about 2:30 am, which speaks volumes of the disregard for the laws regulating Inland Waterways navigation.

“Furthermore, for a wooden boat to have allegedly carried more than 200 passengers at once without using life jackets, and sailing in the night, was certainly gross overloading and misconduct.

“This accident was an avoidable and unfortunate one,” Dar’dau, says.

“NIWA as the regulating agency will in line with extant laws and regulations, investigate the negligence and callousness that led to the incident and prosecute those found culpable.”

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 added that NIWA as a regulatory agency that provides safety on Nigeria’s Inland Waterways, will not allow such recklessness on the part of the Boat Operators to go unpunished as the agency will continue to ensure compliance with the safety guidelines to avoid the killing of innocent commuters on the Nigerian waterways.

Dominica Nwabufo