Date: 2018-12-04

THE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Monday confined that twelve lives were lost in the Kwara boat mishap due to overloading and lack of passengers putting on life jackets.

According to a statement signed on Monday by the NIWA Spokesman, Tayo Fadile, the agency wishes to commiserate with the Government and People of Kwara State on the recent boat mishap in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of the State.

"However, information made available to us by NIWA Area Manager in Minna who covers Kwara State, Surv. Abubakar M. Wathanafa; who visited the site of the boat mishap confirmed that twelve people lost their lives, while two were rescued and search and rescue efforts is still ongoing by the combined team of NIWA, Marine Police, Fire Service and Local divers.

"The Area Manager attributed the cause of the accident on failure to adhere to NIWA Safety guidelines which include overloading of the boat, using the dilapidated and old boat and failure to use life jackets by the passengers.

"We will like to use this medium to appeal to the general public especially river users to strictly adhere to NIWA safety guidelines.

"The present Management is working hard to ensure that such unfortunate incidents are reduced to the barest minimum.

"Finally, NIWA will continue to encourage boat users to use modern and safe water transportation mode on our waterways," the agency Spokesman stated.