Boat tragedy: FG vows prosecution of operators

The management of the National Inland Waterways Authority says it will prosecute the �reckless operators� of the ill-fated commercial boat that capsized in Kwara State, killing no fewer than 106 passengers.

In a statement on Thursday, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NIWA, Jibril Dar�dau, said the boat accident, which occurred on June 12, 2023, along the River Niger in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, could have been avoided if the operators had applied safety measures, such as providing the passengers with life jackets.

�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 2:30am, which speaks volumes of the disregard for the laws regulating Inland Waterways navigation.

�Furthermore, for a wooden boat to have allegedly carried more than 200 passengers at once without using life jackets, and sailing in the night, was certainly gross overloading and misconduct.

�This accident was an avoidable and unfortunate one.

�NIWA, as the regulating agency, will, in line with extant laws and regulations, investigate the negligence and callousness that led to the incident and prosecute those found culpable.�

The federal agency expressed condolence to the� families of those that lost their lives, stressing that it was particularly concerned about the huge� casualty figure.