Nigeria faces yet another heartbreaking tragedy on its waterways as at least 54 bodies have been recovered from the River Niger following the capsizing of a passenger boat in the early hours of Friday. The vessel, reportedly carrying over 200 passengers, sank while en route from Kogi State to a weekly market in Niger State. With 24 survivors rescued and still receiving treatment, dozens remain missing as divers continue their search for bodies amidst fading hopes of finding additional survivors.
Unregulated Waters and Unsafe Practices
The latest incident highlights the persistent safety issues plaguing Nigeria’s inland waterways. Despite previous recommendations to improve safety protocols, enforcement remains lax, and accidents are tragically common. Initial reports suggest that many passengers may not have been wearing life jackets, a basic safety measure required by regulations.
The absence of a passenger manifest further complicates rescue and recovery efforts. According to Justin Uche, head of Kogi State’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the lack of record-keeping has made it nearly impossible to determine the exact number of passengers on board.
“The problem is that there’s no passenger manifest, and because of the time the accident occurred, giving an accurate account of persons, survivors, and those missing is very difficult,” Uche said.
The Impact on Communities
The passengers are believed to have included market traders and farm laborers traveling to the weekly market in Niger State. For many rural communities, waterways are essential for transportation, trade, and daily livelihoods, as road infrastructure is often inadequate or nonexistent. However, these lifelines are increasingly becoming death traps due to overcrowded boats, poor maintenance, and a lack of oversight.
This disaster is the third major boat accident in Nigeria within the last 60 days. In September, nearly 200 lives were lost when a wooden dugout canoe, packed with close to 300 passengers, overturned on the River Niger. Just last week, a collision between two boats in Delta State claimed five lives.
Government Response
Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the need for stricter safety measures to prevent future tragedies. He ordered hospitals treating survivors to ensure they receive adequate care, including food and medical attention.
“This incident is a painful reminder of the need to enforce existing safety regulations. We must do everything possible to ensure that such tragedies are avoided in the future,” Governor Ododo stated.
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