EKO HOT BLOG reports the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has revealed that the fatal boat accident in Anambra State on January 4, 2024, resulting in eight deaths and 38 rescues, was due to the negligence of boat operators.
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Conducting a fact-finding mission to Umumu Umuenwelum Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area, NIWA’s Area Manager in Onitsha, Suleiman Nicholas, pointed to operator carelessness, night journeys, and overloading as contributing factors.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of truth surrounding the incident, Nicholas emphasized the need to uncover the real causes to prevent future occurrences.
He criticized the boat association for negligence, allowing night journeys without life jackets, and disregarding manifests provided by NIWA. Nicholas stressed the importance of informing authorities about late departures and highlighted the risk of night journeys, calling for the provision of life jackets by private operators.
NIWA’s position is to discourage night journeys and enforce the navigational law that permits boat movement between 6 am and 6 pm. Nicholas emphasized the need for operators to adhere to safety regulations and urged the arrest of boat owners violating navigational laws.
Community member Joseph Emeka revealed that the trapped boat’s engine has been recovered, but the boat remains stuck in the river, submerged at a depth exceeding 2.5 meters.
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At the take-off point in Ojolofe Idah Water Front in Kogi State, Idris Ibrahim, speaking for the Idah Boat Owners Association, shared that the accident occurred when the boat driver attempted to evade sand and wood, leading to the tragic incident.
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