Deploys personnel for rescue operation, investigation
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has noted with regret the death of eight persons, following a boat mishap, last week, at Umumu Anam, Anambra West Local Council of the state.
General Manager (Corporate Affairs), Jibril Darda’u, regretted that eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued and administered treatments.
Darda’u, in a statement yesterday, said recovery efforts were ongoing.
He said: “The authority is aware that the sad incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi State to Onitsha in Anambra State. Upon receipt of the sad report, relevant personnel from the marine department were deployed for rescue, recovery, and investigation.
“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, eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.
“The recovery efforts are ongoing and the authority will provide detailed information to the public as soon as field officers report back to the headquarters. The authority sincerely commiserates with friends and families of the deceased and prays to God to rest their souls.”
Meanwhile, Darda’u has reassured the general public that NIWA is doing everything possible to ensure safer inland waterways for the movement of people and goods.
