THE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has attributed the recent boat mishap that claimed three lives in Bayeku area of Ikorodu, Lagos State to nigh travelling by boat operators.
In a statement signed by the agency’s Spokesman, Tayo Fadile, and made available to Nigerian Tribune, the agency commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State on the Bayeku boat mishap.
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According to NIWA, “We were reliably informed by NIWA Lagos Area Office that a 20-passenger boat owned by Mr Kasali, a member of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria (ATBOANTON) took off in the evening from Okeranla in Ajah heading to Bayeku in Ikorodu. Due to the late night travelling, and low visibility, the boat ran into a heap of dredged sand and capsized.
“The Area Office when contacted, immediately deployed the water ambulance boat with the search and rescue team to the scene of the mishap and the team were able to rescue 17 passengers alive and three dead bodies.
“We will like to use this medium to appeal to the general public, especially waterways users to strictly adhere to NIWA safety guidelines, especially for boat operators to stop traveling in the evening after 6pm.
“NIWA will continue to encourage our boat operators to do the right thing and reduce the incessant boat mishap on our waterways by adhering to safety regulations as stipulated by NIWA.”
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