The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) yesterday said eight persons lost their lives in the boat mishap, involving passengers from Idah in Kogi State traveling to Onitsha in Anambra State on the River Niger.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Jibril Darda’u.
He disclosed that the incident happened at Umumu Anam, Anambra West LGA in Anambra State on Friday, 5th January at about 7am.
The general manager said, “The Authority is aware of the sad incident involving a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi State to Onitsha in Anambra State.
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“Upon the receipt of the sad report, relevant personnel from the marine department were deployed for rescue, recovery, and proper investigation”, the statement said.
The statement added that “Preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with about 50 passengers on board.
“From the records, 8 persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately”.
He said the authority regretted the sad incident, adding that recovery efforts are ongoing and will provide detailed information to the public as soon as the field officers report back to the headquarters.
“The Authority sincerely commiserates with the friends and families of the deceased and prays to God to rest their souls”, he said.
NIWA also reassured the general public that the organization is doing everything possible to ensure safer inland waterways for the movement of people and goods.
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