The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Benue State Government have strengthened collaboration to improve transportation safety, institutional capacity and technical cooperation in support of the state’s maritime and blue economy development.
The renewed engagement follows the recent River Benue boat accident that claimed 11 lives, after which NSIB Director-General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. led a delegation to Makurdi for an on-the-spot safety assessment and consultations with Governor Hyacinth Alia, community leaders and boat operators.
Building on that visit, Captain Badeh received Benue State Commissioner for Maritime and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, in Abuja to develop a framework for collaboration on transportation safety, accident investigation, capacity building and knowledge exchange.
Badeh said the partnership had evolved beyond accident response into a strategic effort focused on prevention, technical cooperation and institutional development, stressing that transportation safety requires sustained collaboration among governments, regulators and technical agencies.
He added that the NSIB remains committed to preventing future accidents through knowledge sharing, institutional capacity building and the promotion of global safety standards.
Iyaghigba described the meeting as the beginning of a long-term partnership that would strengthen Benue’s ability to safely develop its inland waterways and blue economy while improving safety culture and operational capacity.
The Benue delegation also toured the Bureau’s investigation laboratories, technical workspaces and specialised facilities to gain firsthand knowledge of its accident investigation and safety analysis capabilities.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to building a preventive safety culture through collaboration, professional training and continuous institutional support.
