October 03, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the spate of boat accidents in Niger state and across the country.
The directive follows another boat accident which occurred on Tuesday night, at Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger state.
THEWILL reports that the boat carrying about 300 people, including women and children, was sailing on the Gbajibo River from the Mundi community when it capsized.
While at least 150 people were rescued from the scene, 25 bodies have so far been recovered.
In a statement issued on Thursday, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead. He expressed condolences to the Government and people of Niger State.
“The President directs the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the spate of boat accidents in Niger state and across the country and devise modalities to check the trend”, the statement adde.
He ordered NIWA to expand the scope of its surveillance of inland waters to ensure our people’s safety and prosecute boat operators violating the ban on night sailing.
President Tinubu thanked emergency workers and local divers who were working to find the remaining people.
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