President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed 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 unfortunate trend.
The President’s directive came hot on the heels of Tuesday night’s boat mishap in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State which claimed 25 lives, with over 150 sustaining varying degrees of injuries and are beiing treated in various hospitals.
A release by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga,said Tinubu also 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.”
The President, Onanuga informed, thanked emergency workers and local divers who were working to find the remaining people.
The boat, which was said to be carrying about 300 people, primarily women and children, was sailing on the Gbajibo River from the Mundi community when it capsized.
President Tinubu condole with the Government and people of Niger State over the boat accident which occurred Tuesday night at Mokwa Local Government Area.
He commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead.