Boat operators predict more accidents, deaths along Malele, Kebbi waterways

Boat operators under the aegis of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) have predicted more accidents and loss of lives along the Malele to Kebbi waterways following the loss of 76 lives to a recent boat mishap in Niger State.

In a statement issued over the weekend in Lagos, the President of ATBOWATON, Mr Gani Tarzan Balogun, described the recent boat accident as a national tragedy and an embarrassment to the nation.

Mr Balogun, who decried the very poor response and attention to the national tragedy by both the Federal and State governments, noted that the recent mishap was not the first on that water route, adding that no serious attention has been paid to dredge and remove wrecks from the Malele to Kebbi waterways.

“I can’t understand the usual blame game against water transporters and boat operators. We are used to the stereotype and often rush to call boat operators names without due investigation to find out if overloading and sundry operational failings are behind the accident. Someone needs to come out to tell us what government has done on that route?” a visibly angry ATBOWATON President lamented.

Mr Balogun reiterated that the association in furtherance of its mission to national spread and responsibilities had in the past responded to accidents across the national waterways, including the Niger State branch, by organising training and retraining of ATBOWATON members, donation of life jackets and also sought the support of the traditional institutions to help drive home the need for obedience and observance to extant safety regulations on the Waterways by both the operators and water users.

“The truth is that ATBOWATON cannot single-handedly keep the waterways safe and also create enabling operational environment. It is not all accidents on water that are attributable to overloading and non-wearing of life jackets. There are system failures on waterways such as mapping, dredging and wreck removals. Those are the major issues across the waterways in those areas and until both the State and Federal Government, appreciate the fact that the River Niger from Malele down to Kebbi and further ahead needs serious attention as a channel of huge economic activities, then more of what happened may still re-occur.

” I am so unhappy and disappointed even with the way, Nigerians kept a low profile on this national tragedy. Maybe because those who lost their lives are poor farmers and merchants. Maybe because we as a nation have not come to the reality that waterways transportation is the safest means of moving persons and goods. Or maybe because it’s not an aviation accident that resonates with the rich and the elites. Maybe if one highly placed person had died in that accident, all the outpouring of support would have been provided and a national condolence register, opened,” Mr Balogun explained.

On ATBOWATON plan to visit the grieving families of those who died in the avoidable accident, Mr Balogun said a special team of ATBOWATON investigators has been dispatched to Malele to work with boat operators in that area, while the national leadership is planning to visit the Emir of Borgu who is the national patron of ATBOWATON and after, visit the Niger State governor, Alhaji Sani Bello, to not only register the association’s sympathy but to find ways to mitigate accidents on Niger State waterways and for an urgent need to construct a world-class Jetty at Malele.

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VERDICT: FALSE. Registration can make you lose your WhatsApp account to scammers.Boat operators predict more accidents, deaths along Malele, Kebbi waterways

Boat operators predict more accidents, deaths along Malele, Kebbi waterways