Kwara Lawmakers Call for National Waterways Authority Action to Prevent Boat Accidents

Date: 2024-10-09

According to Voice of Nigeria, the Kwara State House of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to collaborate with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enhance regulation and enforcement of safety guidelines on water operations. This directive was issued following a Matter of General Public Importance brought forward by Hon. Ahmed Baba (APC/Banni/Gwaria/Adena), concerning the tragic boat accident on October 1 in Gwajibo, Kaiama Local Government Area.

The house members emphasized the need for the deployment of NIWA staff to all loading points on Nigerian waterways to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and prevent future tragedies.

In a statement, the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, expressed his condolences to the people of Kaiama LGA, stressing the urgency of enforcing water transport regulations to safeguard lives. He added that proper regulation at loading points is crucial to ensuring the safety of waterway operations across the state.

The resolutions passed by the assembly call for increased collaboration between state and federal bodies, emphasizing the role of NIWA in enforcing precautionary measures and safety guidelines for water transport services.

“The State Emergency Management Agency should liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide the survivors and families of the victims with relief materials.

“This is to help cushion the effects of the disaster on the Gwajibo Mudi community,” he said.

The Speaker thereafter commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his prompt response and for the shows of solidarity with the people of the area regarding the sad occurrence.

Leading the debate, Baba drew the attention of the House to the shocking news of a boat mishap on the waterways of Niger.

He said the wooden boat, with 285 persons on board and consisting 283 natives of Gwajibo Mudi, left the shores of the riverine community enroute the neighbouring Gwajibo community in Niger.

”They were on their way to attend the annual Maolud Nabbiy but but their capsized in the middle of River Niger at a location within the territory of Niger shortly before arriving its destination.

”This avoidable accident apparently happened as a result of overloading, as findings revealed that the wooden boat with a capacity for 200 passengers only was loaded with 285 on the ill-fated journey.

”At the conclusion of rescue operations, only 92 victims were rescued alive while 191 corpses of persons who are all indigenes of Gwajibo Mudi in Kaiama were recovered.

”The unfortunate incident had left many families and households in Gwajibo Mudi community devastated while the entire Kwara state are in a state of mourning.

”Boat mishaps seem to have become a regular occurrence on our waterways and this calls for serious attention,” Baba said.

The lawmaker added that it was obvious that the boat carried more passengers than its capacity while the passengers also ignored the necessary safety measures.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Emir Of Kano     Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria     Raimi Iyanda     Adesina Simon Sodiya     Kwara Consultative Forum     Wahab Issa     Yusuf Amuda Gobir     Usman Alkali Baba     Gbugbu     Bola Magaji     Naira Redesign     Baruten     Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro     MATTA Girls Foundation     Sulyman Buhari     Bureau Of Lands     Fareedah Dankaka     Sherif Sagaya     Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs     Ilorin Like-Minds     Hijab     IPSAS     Kanu Agabi     Ibrahim Mohammed     Omoniyi Ayinla     Roseline Oni Aremu     Innocent Okoye     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     Mohammed Ajia Ibrahim     Ajasse-Ipo     Yahaya Muhammad     Ojo Isekuse     IDPU     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Ltd     Kishira     Saadu Gbogbo Iwe     Abdulquawiy Olododo     Kola Adesina     Ajakaye     AGF Abdulrazaq     Bolakale Kawu Agaka     Umar Adelodun     Olusegun Adeniyi     Abdulazeez Arowona     Public Holiday     Rasheed Jimoh     Makama Of Ilorin     Bukola Saraki     Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye     Peter Amogbonjaye     IF-K     Laolu Saraki     Third Estate     Apaola     Hijaab     Mutawali     Radio SBS     Mansur Alfanla     BECE     UTME     Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji     Ishak Mohammed Sabi     Babaloja-General     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed     Oko-Olowo     Mustapha Olanipekun     Anilelerin     Sarakite     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Rafiu Ajakaye     ARMTI     Olosi Of Osi     Agor     Ibrahim Abdulkadir Abikan     Akanji    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Sheriff Shagaya     Monsurat Omotosho     Haliru Yahaya     College Of Education     Kwara 2023     Yusuf Aiyedun     Saka Adeyemo     Obuh     Usman Yunusa     Gobir Organization Foundation     David Adesina     Esinniobiwa Quareeb     Salihu S. Yaru     Bilikisu Gambari     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Abdulfatai Salman Baakini     Aso-ofi     Sabo-Oke     Afolayan     Labour Party     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Metro Park     Tosin Saraki     Aliyu Adebayo     Buari Edun     Simon Sayomi     Manzuma     Atiku Abubakar     Olushola Saraki     Abdulmutalib Shittu     Sulaiman Gado     Chikanda     Salami Adekunle     Bilikisu Oniyangi     Haruna Olawale Sulaiman     Razak Atunwa     Ahmad Ali     Yahaya Abdulkareem     Simeon Sayomi     Eghe Igbinehin     Abdulahi Abubakar Bata     Fulani     Abdullahi G. Mohammad     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Okin Biscuit     Teachers Specific Allowance     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board     Mamatu Abdullahi     Awoye     Young Progressives Party     Mumeen Lah     Bola Ahmed Tinubu     Special Agro-Industrial Hub     Tuesday Assayomo     Kola Bukoye     Ibrahim Oloriegbe     Kwara North     Tunji Moronfoye     Aliyu Sabi     Bamidele Aluko     Babatunde Ajeigbe     Ayodele Olaosebikan     Ganmo Power Sub-Station     Offa Metropolitan Club     Abdulrazaq Solihudeen     Sai Kayi     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Amuda Musbau     Galadiman Ngeri     Code Of Conduct Tribunal     Ejidongari     Siddiq Adebayo Idowu Salawu     Musibau Akanji     Aisha Buhari     Joseph Bamigboye