Kwara Lawmakers Call for National Waterways Authority Action to Prevent Boat Accidents
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.
Universal Basic Education Commission Issa Baba Abatemi Usman Onilu Fatima Abolore Jimoh New Nigeria People’s Party Photo News Yoruba Arandun Kayode Issa Yahaya Seriki Gambari Old Oyo Laolu Saraki Suleiman Ajadi Rotimi Atere Kwara Teaching Service Commission Saliu Ajia Abdulrasheed Akogun Al-Hikmah University Ilorin International Airport Split Diamond Interchange Abioye Bello Oni Adebayo Sulyman Age AbdulKareem Federal Allocation Durosinlohun Kawu Riskat Opakunle Abdullahi Samari Falokun-Oja Ambassador Kayode Laro Ile Arugbo Ado Ibrahim Raimi Iyanda Temi Kolawole Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja Lithium Deposit Joseph Yemi Ajayi Abdulwahab Ololele Kwara University Of Education Isiaka Danmeromu Bisi Oyeleke Hamid Bobboyi Oro Grammar School Mohammed Katsina Ahmed Theophilus Oyebiyi Abdulmalik Bashir Mopelola Risikatullahi Lai Mohammed Sabo-Oke Abubakar Kawu Baraje Esinrogunjo KWIRS National Union Of Road Transport Workers Trade Lenda SME Fair Hijab Kwarareports.com Jawondo Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan Mary Kemi Adeosun Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kayode Ibrahim Coalition Of Kwara North Groups ITP Arik Nupe Yemi Sanni IsDB NIPR Muazam Nayaya Kayode Ishola Transition Implementation Committee Shettima Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji Shonga Farm Project International Public Sector Accounting Standards Kwara State Fire Service Idofin Salihu Ajia