The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has identified ignorance and failure to follow safety protocols as the primary causes of the boat mishap that claimed the lives of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and seven others. NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, made this revelation during a safety sensitization campaign in Onitsha, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety rules.
According to NIWA, the victims’ failure to register their boat and wear life jackets, combined with distractions inside the boat, led to a collision with a wooden object that capsized the vessel. To prevent such tragedies, NIWA warned boat operators and passengers to register their boats and wear life jackets, or face arrest, seizure, and prosecution.
The agency also announced plans to collaborate with stakeholders and state governments to raise awareness among communities living along the River Niger about the impending 2024 flood. The event featured a life jacket demonstration and was attended by boat operators, stakeholders, and community leaders.
NIWA reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety on Nigeria’s waterways, urging all stakeholders to prioritize safety protocols to prevent avoidable accidents.
