By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has expressed sadness over the June 12 Boat mishap that occurred along the Jebba Lake channel in the Lafiagi-Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State in which about 103 passengers were feared dead.
This is contained in a release signed by Jibril Darda’u, General Manager (Corporate Affairs) of NIWA, and a copy made available to The Reporters on Thursday.
He said: "We condole with the families of those that have lost their loved ones and are particularly concerned with the huge number of casualties.
"This accident was an unfortunate and avoidable one.
" Preliminary investigations through our Area Manager in Minna/Kwara Area Office revealed that the boat driver and wedding guests were on the ill-fated voyage at about 2:30a.m, which speaks volumes about the disregard for the laws regulating Inland Waterways navigation.
" Furthermore, for a wooden boat to have allegedly been carrying more than 200 passengers at once without using life jackets and sailing in the night was certainly gross overloading and misconduct.
*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.
"NIWA as an Authority will not fold its arms and allow reckless boat operators to flaunt our safety guidelines and kill innocent commuters.
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