Major death toll highlights need for improved safety on inland waterways

Inland waterway safety under the spotlight

NIGERIA: The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is investigating an incident that occurred on the Jebba Lake Channel last week in which over 100 ferry passengers died after a boating accident.

In a statement issued after the incident, NIWA noted that the vessel was operating in disregard for the laws regulating the inland waterways. The wooden boat was allegedly carrying more than 200 passengers from a wedding at about 2:30 am when the incident occurred.

Preliminary investigations show that, in addition to being overloaded, the ferry did not have sufficient lifejackets. According to NIWA the grossly overloaded vessel should not have been sailing at night.

“While we extend our commiserations to the government and people of Kwara State, we will in line with extant laws and regulations, investigate this callous incident and prosecute those found culpable,” they said in their press statement which condemned “reckless boat operators”.

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