- 21 Passengers Without Life Jackets – NIWA
By Kenneth Jukpor
The National Inland Waterways Authority has confirmed the occurrence of a boat mishap in Lagos over the weekend, reporting that ten (10) persons have been confirmed dead with only three (3) survivors, while eight (8) persons are still missing.
NIWA revealed this in a press statement issued by the General Manager, Lagos Area Office, Engr. Muazu Sambo this morning, also disclosing that the twenty-one passengers who boarded the boat failed to utilize life jackets.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Saturday June 29th at about 10pm in the Lagos Lagoon, between Badore in Ajah (Eti – Osa Local Government Area) and Egbin (Ikorodu L.G.A).
“Investigations by the Lagos Area Office revealed that twenty one (21) persons including men and women boarded an unmarked fibre boat W19 with 60HP engine. None of the passengers was wearing a life jacket” the report stated.
Meanwhile, the Authority also revealed that the boat was designed to take not more than 10 persons, just as the jetty at Badore, managed by the Itom Community, has been reported as a substandard jetty that was previously sealed by the Authority.
The boat reportedly capsized midway across the Lagoon as a result of high tidal waves which was not helped by the boat being over loaded by twice its capacity as well as the fact that it was sailing at night making search and rescue efforts more difficult.
Although co-ordinated rescue efforts and investigations are still ongoing, NIWA conveyed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.
Furthermore, the Authority seized the opportunity to sound another warning to boat operators and passengers alike, on the need to observe and adhere to water travel extant rules and regulations.
The Authority lamented that this incident was another clear case of violations of subsisting NIWA laws and regulations as the owners of the jetty are culpable for operating an already sealed jetty at night, yet over – loading and the non-provision of life jackets.
NIWA also expressed disappointment that passengers boarded without life jackets despite the Authority’s sustained routine campaign of safety awareness at all the passenger jetties in Lagos State.
The Authority has effected the arrest of all persons deemed culpable under extant laws, for prosecution in order to serve as a deterrent measure against future occurrences of such gross violations.
“Once again, NIWA calls on the general public and all stakeholders in water transportation in particular, to comply with all extant laws and regulations concerning water transportation in order to save lives and prevent needless and avoidable deaths on our waterways” the statement read.
