By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has commiserated with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and families of the deceased victims of the unfortunate April 10, boat Mishap on the River Niger that claimed four lives.
The NIWA Management, in a statement signed by Engr Dakio Horsfall, Ag GM (Marine), expressed deep regret over the boat mishap which occurred Wednesday on the River Niger en route to Asaba in Delta state at about 2 pm.
The boat accident which claimed the life of a famous Nollywood actor, Jnr Pope and three others with one, still missing, according to the statement, involved two boats.
NIWA, in the statement, commiserated with families of the deceased and prayed the good Lord to repose their souls.
“Regrettably, the unfortunate accident involved an unregistered fiberglass boat with 12 persons on board and a privately owned wooden boat with a lone driver.
According to the statement, Preliminary reports indicated that the accident resulted from a frontal collision between the two boats due to over speeding.
“Sadly, two people died at the scene of the accident, two more bodies were recovered 24 hours later off-site, while seven persons were rescued”, the statement said.
It further explained that upon receipt of report of the accident through its community-based structure, the Authority immediately deployed its search and rescue team to the scene for rescue activities.
“This team and other stakeholders, including the local divers, swung into action and have continued the search and rescue effort since Wednesday. As of the last count, one person is still unaccounted for” the statement added.
The statement further revealed that the Marine Department of NIWA has also activated its accident investigation mechanism with a view to determining the cause(s) of the accident and make appropriate recommendations.
The Authority reiterated the need for all users of the inland waterways to, mandatorily, adhere to all established safety protocols which include the completion of passengers manifest at the loading and offloading points.
Others are compulsory usage of life jackets on the waterways, avoiding over speeding, and yielding to weather dictates, at all times.
NIWA seized the opportunity to appreciate efforts of the Marine Police, local divers/fishermen, Maritime Unions, and other good-hearted Nigerians who rose to support the Authority in its rescue efforts.
“The National Inland Waterways Authority hereby assures all Nigerians of its continuous efforts aimed at promoting safer inland waterways for the use of all”, the statement said. (Ends)