NIWA sympathizes with government, relations of June 12th both mishap in Jebba
2 min read
Wooden boats of various sizes
The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has commiserated with the Kwara State Government and families of about 103 victims of a boat mishap that occurred around Jebba on 12th June 2023.
Preliminary investigation revealed the boat accident occurred at about 2:30 am, along the Jebba Lake channel in the Lafiagi-Patigi Local Government.
An abridged interim report of the preliminary investigation conducted by the office of the NIWA Area Manager in the Minna/Kwara Area revealed that about 200 passengers were loaded on a wooden canoe traveling for a wedding at that unholy hour, and against extant regulations on maritime safety.
A media statement by NIWA and signed by the General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Jibril Darda’u, said the investigation further revealed that passengers in the overloaded wooden boat were not provided with life jackets, a gross misconduct in addition to sailing at night.
The statement said the management of NIWA was sorely pained by the avoidable loss of lives and said a comprehensive investigation of the accident had begun and all those found culpable would be subjected to the full sanctions as prescribed by the regulation.
The statement reiterated that NIWA as an Authority will not fold its arms and allow reckless boat operators to continue running afoul of inland waterways safety guidelines and killing innocent commuters, without being checked.
The statement concluded that the full wrath of the law awaits any recalcitrant operator, skipper, and even passengers whenever they are found culpable.
About Post Author
They were all killed by the government care free attitude towards the safety of its citizens