Boat mishap: NIWA commiserates with victims’ families, AGN

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Friday noted with deep regret the unfortunate incident of a boat mishap which occurred on the 10th of April 2024, on the River Niger en route to Asaba in Delta State.

The Authority, in a press statement issued on Friday by Engr Dakio Horsfall, Ag GM (Marine) on behalf of the Management, commiserated with the families of the deceased persons and prayed that the good Lord repose the souls of the departed.

“Regrettably, the unfortunate accident involved an unregistered fiberglass boat with 12 persons on board and a privately owned wooden boat with a lone driver. Preliminary reports indicated that the accident resulted from a frontal collision between the two boats due to overspeeding. Sadly, two people died at the scene of the accident, two more bodies were recovered 24 hours later off-site, while 7 persons were rescued.

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“Upon the receipt of the report of the accident through its community-based structure, the Authority deployed its search and rescue team to the scene for immediate rescue activities. This team and other stakeholders, including the local divers, swung into action and have continued the search and rescue effort since yesterday. As of the last count, one person is still unaccounted for. Also, the Marine Department of NIWA has activated its accident investigation mechanism intending to determine the cause(s) of the accident and make appropriate recommendations.

“In the meantime, the Authority wishes to reiterate the need for all users of the inland waterways to, mandatorily, adhere to all the established safety protocols, including the completion of passenger manifest at the loading and offloading points, usage of life jackets on the waterways, avoiding over speeding, and yielding to weather dictates, at all times.

“Consequently, the Authority wishes to appreciate the Marine Police, local divers/fishermen, Maritime Unions, and other good-hearted Nigerians who rose to support the Authority in its rescue efforts. The National Inland Waterways Authority hereby assures all Nigerians of its continuous efforts aimed at promoting safer inland waterways for the use of all.”