President Tinubu Directs Inland Waterways Authority To Investigate Boat Accidents

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the spate of boat accidents in Niger State and across the country and devise modalities to check the trend.

The President gave the directive on Thursday, in a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, while commiserating with the government and the people of Niger State over a boat accident that occurred on Tuesday night at Mokwa Local Government Area of the State.

President Tinubu also ordered NIWA to expand the scope of its surveillance of inland waters to ensure Nigerians’ safety and prosecute boat operators violating the ban on night sailing.

Condolences

The President commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead.

President Tinubu thanked emergency workers and local divers who are still working to find the remaining victims.

A boat which was said to be carrying about 300 people, mainly women and children, was sailing on the Gbajibo River from the Mundi community area of Mokwa Local Government when it capsized.

While at least 150 people have been rescued from the scene, 25 bodies have so far been recovered.