- More Than 30 Feared Dead, Over 100 Still Missing
- Passengers Are Mostly Market Women, Labourers On Their Way To Niger Market
- Ododo Calls For ‘Enhanced Safety Measures On Our Waterways’
Again, Nigeria has been thrown into mourning as no fewer than 30 people have been feared dead in a Friday morning boat accident that occurred near the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.
This is the latest installment in the series of deadly boat mishaps that have rocked Nigeria in recent times.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the boat accident involving no fewer than 200 passengers including market women and farm labourers being conveyed from Lokoja in Kogi to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State.
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The Head of the NIWA media Department, Mr Suleman Makama, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.
He said that the passengers mostly market women and labourers were on their way to the market in Niger State when the boat capsized on the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of River Niger.
Makama said “It’s true that there was a boat mishap on Friday morning involving quite a number of women going to the market in Niger State.
“We are still investigating to ascertain the number of people involved as well as what led to the accident.”
Eyewitnesses said that the boat, which belonged to one Musa Dangana, was conveying its passengers to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State.
An eyewitness said thirty bodies had been recovered, while search and rescue operations continue to locate the remaining passengers.
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Meanwhile, Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo has called for enhanced safety measures on the country’s waterways.
Ododo spoke following the unfortunate boat mishaps in Niger State on Friday.
In a statement issued by Ismaila Isah, his special adviser on media, he expressed sadness over the death of the passengers.
He commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and assured that the government will support those injured.
The governor said he is deeply troubled that the boat accident victims were mainly women, petty traders, and artisans, contributing to the state’s economy.
“The waterway linking Kogi and Niger states was becoming increasingly dangerous as a result of frequent boat accidents,” he said.
Ododo called on relevant authorities to ensure that safety measures are in place to minimise risks associated with water transportation in the country.
He commended NIWA for its search and rescue efforts, adding that collaborative measures are crucial to prevent waterway accidents and enhance emergency response.
