NIWA Averts Another Barge Accident, Arrests Fully Loaded Barge Abandoned, Floating On Lagos Channel
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has averted what could have turned out to be another barge accident on Lagos waterways when it rescued a fully loaded barge “Sekinatu” abandoned and floating on Lagos waterways.
The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Engineer Sarat Braimah in a chat with DAILYTRENDNEWS confirmed that staff of the agency discovered the barge, fully loaded and it was abandoned around Takwa Bay, blocking the main channel leading to the outside bar.
Recall that there was a barge accident which occurred on the 6th of March, 2021 along KLT/Mile 2 – Maza Maza water channels where about six (6) 40ft containers said to contain electronics (new LED TV sets) went down the water deep. The containers are valued at Five Hundred Million Naira (N500, 000,000.00)
In a video shared earlier by the NIWA boss, an official said “This barge was seen on the waterways floating aimlessly without any tugboat attached to it.
It was floating on the main channel that leads to Takwa Bay and the outside bar”
“Marine staff from NIWA Lagos office saw it, we were able to move the barge aground, now we are trying to arrange a tugboat”
“This is a serious offence, and as you can see, there are 26 loaded containers onboard the barge without any tugboat attached to it, we are still investigating to find out what happened, the name of the barge is Sekinatu, but where it was going we cannot say for now”
He said that investigations are ongoing as the agency makes efforts to move the barge away from the mainstream.
Eng Sarat told DAILY TREND NEWS that the barge has been arrested and taken to Marina Lagos office of NIWA until the owner shows up.
She said the barge owner would be made to face strict sanctions.
