The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) has described the recent boat mishaps recorded in Niger and Kebbi States which claimed over 100 lives as unfortunate.
Its Chairman, Maj-Gen. Jonathan Garba, expressed his displeasure with the incidents in a statement sent by e-mail to newsmen in Lokoja on yesterday.
The statement, signed by his Personal Assistant, Mr Adakole Ejegbudu, said that the two accidents came at a time when all hands were on deck to improve safety standards in the maritime sector.
He commiserated with the people and governments of the two states, urging those who lost loved ones in the accidents to see it as act of God.
It would be recalled that the accidents occurred at different times in Munya Local Government area of Niger State and Bagudo Local Government area of Kebbi State.
According to him, the accidents and other recent events on the country’s waterways have further weakened the public confidence in marine transportation.
He said that NIMASA stood with the management of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in this period of mourning and share in its renewed resolve to make marine transportation safer.
“For marine transportation to be seen and utilized as a sustainable and viable mode of transportation, it must be safe.
“This is the challenge that all stakeholders must rise up to. Preserving the sanctity of life is the responsibility of every entity and a reflex for all well meaning persons,” he said.
Garba reiterated the resolve of NIMASA to collaborate with other stakeholders to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation and for greater good of the country.
He advised NIWA to step up its sensitization and awareness programmes for stakeholders and waterways users to improve safety in the nation’s Inland Waterways.
The NIMASA chairman also appealed to the civil society organisations and well-meaning citizens to volunteer and play a role in the sensitization programme.
“Besides sensitization, there are other issues to address such education/ training of operators, utilization of safe and stable vessels, enforcement of rules and regulations and provision of relevant infrastructure and navigational aids,” he said.
….12 Bodies Recovered, 18 Rescued
Meanwhile, the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed that 12 bodies of victims of boat mishap in River Kaduna had been recovered while 18 of the victims have been rescued alive.
Alhaji Ibrahim Inga, Director General of the agency, who confirmed this in Minna on Monday, said that the deceased had since been buried.
A boat carrying 30 traders from Kaduna state to Niger capsized on River Kaduna on Sept. 16.
Inga disclosed that 30 passengers were on the boat from Kuduru, Boze and Shakulape in Chikwum Local government Area of Kaduna when it capsized as a result of heavy windstorm.
He said that the boat capsized 30 minutes after take off around Kuduru community.
Inga said that the traders were travelling to Kwata Market located in Zumba, in Shiroro Local Government Areas of Niger state.
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