Benue boat mishap: Operator ignored warnings not to sail – NIWA 

Benue boat mishap: Operator ignored warnings not to sail – NIWA 

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, said the operator of the boat that capsised in Benue killing nine people, ignored warnings not to sail.

The Area Manager of NIWA in Makurdi, Andrew Mdama Ndahi, disclosed this after a fact-finding mission to Daududawadawa, an island settlement behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, where the tragedy occurred.

Ndahi said preliminary investigation revealed that the wooden boat departed at about 7pm, contrary to the agency’s approved sailing hours of 6am to 6pm, ignoring warnings against sailing with a faulty engine during heavy rainfall and strong winds.

He said, “They violated the law. They started sailing around 7pm and the engine was faulty. Everybody knows there was a storm and strong wind during that period”.

Ndahi said that the boat left with 22 passengers, out of which nine persons lost their lives and had since been buried, while 11 others were rescued alive.

The NIWA Area Manager said while one passenger is still missing, the boat operator has disappeared.

“The wooden boat operator has not been seen since the incident. One family lost six people and the head of the family is the chairman of the maritime group in the community,” he said.

Ndahi stressed that NIWA regulations prohibit movement on inland waterways after 6pm and had sensitised boat operators to suspend operations whenever there is a storm or heavy wind.

“Our law says 6am to 6pm, but the boat sailed at 7pm. Again, the law says disengage when there is a storm or heavy wind. You can see there was serious wind and rainfall around that time,” he added.

He warned boat operators against carrying passengers beyond approved capacity and reiterated the compulsory use of life jackets.

“No life jacket, no sailing. All passengers, including operators, must wear life jackets.

“We are doing our best to make these people adhere to our rules and regulations to avoid tragedies. If they follow our rules, accidents will be minimal,” he said.

Ndahi said NIWA would soon commence sensitisation campaigns in riverine communities to remind operators and passengers of the need to strictly comply with safety guidelines on the waterways.