The House of Representatives has ordered investigation into causes of the incessant boat mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) on the floor of the House in Abuja on Tuesday.
Presenting his motion, Idem said that Nigeria had witnessed a disturbing surge in boat mishaps in recent times, resulting in the tragic loss of numerous lives.
He cited the most recent incident, being the Kogi boat mishap, which occurred on Nov. 29.
This, he said, took place on the Dambo-Ebuchi waterway of the River Niger in Kupa Local Government Area.
The rep said that the tragic incident involved over 160 passengers, with only 24 rescued, and 54 confirmed dead, while a yet to be determined number were still unaccounted for.
According to him, the Kogi boat mishap marked the third passenger boat accident in Nigeria within a span of just 60 days.
“In a similar tragic incident, precisely on October 3, 2024, a wooden dugout canoe carrying approximately 300 passengers capsized and sank on the River Niger,” Idem said.
This, according to him, resulted in the loss of nearly 200 lives.
He further said that just last week, a collision between two boats in Delta State, southern Nigeria, claimed the lives of five people.
Idem stated that the reccurrence of these devastating incidents culminated in the recent Kupa boat mishap in Kogi State.
This, he added, underscored the urgent need for improved maritime safety measures in Nigeria.
He stated that maritime experts had identified a combination of critical factors contributing to the alarming frequency of boat accidents in Nigeria.
Idem listed the factors to include inadequate boat maintenance and poor design, overloading, a lack of essential safety equipment and emergency response plans.
Others listed are insufficient training for boat operators and a lack of strict regulatory enforcement.
He expressed concern that if nothing was done to improve safety and emergency response systems, Nigerians would continue to face psychological trauma, economic losses, and untimely deaths.
Adopting the motion, the House, after observing a minute of silence for the departed souls in the Kogi Boat Mishap, urged the Federal Government to proffer solutions to the challenges.
The lawmakers stated that the investigation should be done jointly by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Transportation “and provide insights and recommendations on improving maritime safety.”
The House also urges NIMASA and NIWA to enforce safety regulations and ensure compliance with international maritime standards.
The House mandated the House Committees on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, and Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority to ensure compliance.
