The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Transportation to launch a comprehensive investigation into the recent boat accidents in Nigeria, which have raised serious concerns about the safety of the country’s waterways.
This call came after a motion of urgent national importance was moved, highlighting the tragic boat mishap in Kogi State, where over 160 passengers were onboard. Only 24 survivors were rescued, while approximately 54 people were confirmed dead, with an unknown number still missing.
Honourable Unyime Idem, who sponsored the motion, expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in boat accidents and the lack of adequate safety measures in the country’s inland waterways. He stressed the urgent need for intervention to prevent further loss of life and ensure the safety of passengers using the waterways.
The House also directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to take immediate action to enforce safety regulations and ensure compliance with international maritime standards. This move is aimed at improving the safety infrastructure of the country’s waterways and preventing future accidents.
