Katsina Boat Accident: NIWA Expresses Frustrations, Caution Operators

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has expressed it’s unhappiness over recurring boat accidents across Nigeria, despite all efforts put in place by the agency.

In a press statement by Mr Jibril Dardau, General Manager Corporate Affairs of NIWA on Friday, he said the authority noted
with sadness, the unfortunate boat mishap that occurred on Wednesday, 4th May, 2022 at about 11.00pm in Mai-Adua Local Government Area of Katsina State in which fifteen (15) persons lost their lives.

“We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We are greatly pained that this mishap occurred, despite all the measures the Authority has put in place to forestall such mishaps”

“Only recently, the Authority distributed life jackets and some patrol vessels to all our Area Offices across the country, to enhance surveillance and monitoring of activities on the waterways.

“We further wish to appeal to passengers and boat drivers to obey the rules and guidelines regulating passenger transportation.

“The use of life jackets; no sailing at night; the use of standard boats and not overloading the boats are key guidelines for safe passenger transportation.

“As we condole with the government and people of Katsina State and in particular, the families of the deceased, we shall not relent on our efforts to curb these occurrences within our inland waterways” the statement read