The Management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is deeply saddened by the Boat mishap that occurred on 12th June, 2023, along the Jebba Lake channel in the Lafiagi-Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State in which about 103 passengers are feared to have died.
According to a press statement from management of the Authority and duly signed by the Corporate Affairs GM, Jibril Darda’u, it states that the Authority felt bad by the unfortunate incident and do console families of those involved the accident. “We condole with the families of those that have lost their loved ones, and are particularly concerned with the huge number of casualties.
“This accident was clearly an unfortunate and avoidable one. Preliminary investigations through our Area Manager in Minna/Kwara Area Office revealed that the boat driver and wedding guests were on the ill-fated voyage about 2:30am, which speaks volumes about the disregard for the laws regulating Inland Waterways navigation.
“Furthermore, for a wooden boat to have allegedly been carrying more than 200 passengers at once without using life jackets and sailing in the night was certainly gross-overloading and misconduct.
“While we extend our commiserations to the government and people of Kwara State, we will in line with extant laws and regulations, investigate this callous incident and prosecute those found culpable.
“NIWA as an Authority will not fold its arms and allow reckless boat operators flaunting our safety guidelines and killing innocent commuters” it reads.
