*Assures Safer Waterways
Barely three weeks after two boat mishaps in Lagos State which claimed the lives of 19 people including children ,another incident occurred yesterday in Niger State claiming the lives of undisclosed number of people.
Jibril Darda’u,General Manager Corporate Affairs ,National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) disclosed this in a press statement made available to MMSPLUS.
According to the statement,NIWA is deeply saddened over the unfortunate incident and condolles with the people and Government of Niger State over the boat mishaps which occurred at Shiroro Local Government Area on Saturday ,23July, 2022.
“We are all the more saddened because of the efforts we have put in place to ensure that basic safety guidelines and regulations are adhered to by boat drivers. Despite this, however, boat drivers and operators still sail in bad weather; overload their boats and oftentimes do not even wear life jackets for their own safety” It stated
Adding that”Unless Operator’s and passengers alike buy into the imperative of safety on the waterways, no amount of enforcement or compulsion on the part of regulatory bodies can effect the desired results”
NIWA stated that the agency would continue to do it’s best to ensure a safer waterways
“While we regret the loss of lives and pray for the repose of the souls of the dead, the Authority will continue to enforce compliance with safety rules and regulations and employ other measures to achieve safe waterways for all” the statement added.
