Vexed by the colossal failures by governments over the many years to realistically and concretely put in place a lasting, sustainable, efficient and effective federal maritime safety commission similar to the Federal Road safety commission, to check the proliferation of boats accidents and fatalities, the government is urged to do so. HURIWA said NIMASA has not sufficiently confronted the upsurge in boat accidents making it imperative that a soevialised boats safety commission is carved out of NIMASA as a strategic department of NIMASA to face the issues of incessant boat accidents and bring stability and safety to the operations of small boats across the waterways.
Making the submission in a media statement is the National Coordinator of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, who told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to task the federal minister of ministry of Blue Economy, and other maritime affiliated agencies to activate mechanisms to fast track the presentation by the Federal Executive Council to the National Assembly of an executive bill to provide for the creation of a FEDERAL MARITIME SAFETY COMMISSION to stem the upsurge in deaths of Nigerians from accidents on the maritime ways by boats.
HURIWA however suggested to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct that the Federal Maritime Safety Commission to be set-up should be staffed minimally with fewer staff than the bogus Federal Road Safety Commission that has become apparently over-staffed, inefficient and ineffective accounting for the constant proliferation of fatalities resulting from road accidents. “The Federal Maritime Safety Commission shouldn’t be converted to avenues for handing out jobs to political thugs and motor park touts just like what the Federal Road Safety Commission has degenerated into due to prolonged bad governance, but the federal government should peg the staff strength to just 2,000 personnel including the management staff.”
HURIWA has watched since the last 17 years and counting, how accidents on our water ways have continued to result in high fatalities and we think it is important that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu takes immediate but sustainable efforts to provide results-oriented panacea to the upsurge in maritime accidents.
“We regret to provide just a few statistics as follows: In 2023 , Nigeria experienced a surge in boat accidents, resulting in over 300 deaths across various states. The accidents occurred due to overloading, faulty engines, and lack of life jackets. The most affected states were Kwara and Anambra.
– January 3 Incident: 10 farmers died in Kebbi state when a boat carrying over 100 rice farmers capsized
– February 20 Incident: A commercial boat with 17 passengers capsized near the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos state, but all passengers were rescued.
– April 23 Incident: 5 people died in a boat accident at Kanwa Dam in Madobi LGA of Kano state, while 6 others were rescued.
– May 10 Incident: 17 people died in a boat accident in Dandeji village, Shagari LGA of Sokoto state.
– June 7 Incident: 5 people died in a boat mishap in Ugbo-Nla of Ilaje LGA, Ondo state.
– June 13 Incident: Over 100 people died when a boat capsized in Egbu village, Patigi LGA of Kwara state
– June 24 Incident: 5 people died, and 3 medical students went missing after a speed boat capsized in Calabar, Cross River state.
– August 11 Incident: 2 people were rescued after a boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos.
– August 24 Incident: 12 people died in a boat accident in Arikiya, Lafia LGA of Nasarawa state.
– September 8 Incident: 15 people died in a boat accident in Njuwa Lake, Yola south LGA of Adamawa state.
– September 10 Incident: 24 passengers died when a boat capsized in the Mokwa area of Niger state.
– October 2 Incident: 23 people were feared dead when a boat capsized in Agwara LGA of Niger state.
– October 7 Incident: 76 people died following a boat accident in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra state.
– October 26 Incident: 2 bodies were recovered after a boat capsized in the Isawo area of Lagos.
– October 28 Incident: Over 20 people died when a boat capsized in the Karim Lamido area of Taraba state.
– November 6 Incident: 4 residents of Nasarawa state died in a boat accident in the Awe LGA.
– November 12 Incident: 8 people died, and several others were injured in a boat accident in the Ibi LGA of Taraba state.
– December 11 Incident: 2 people went missing, and 3 others were rescued in a boat accident in Gamadio LGA of Adamawa state.
Date of Incident: Saturday, September 14, 2024
- Location: Bakin Kasuwa River, near Gummi town, Zamfara State
- Number of Feared Dead: At least 40 people
- Cause of Incident: The boat capsized while transporting farmers and other passengers
- Rescue Efforts: Five people were rescued, but many others are still missing Incident Details
- Date: October 7, 2022 (Friday)
- Location: Ogbaru area, Anambra State, Nigeria
- Type of Incident: Boat capsize
- Cause: Engine failure and overpowering by waves amid heavy flooding
Casualties
- Deaths: 76
- Rescued: 15
- Missing: Initially 60, later reduced to unknown
Other Details
- Boat Capacity: Over 100 people
- Flooding Impact: 29 states affected, at least half a million people impacted
- President’s Response: Directed authorities to review safety protocols Kebbi Boat Disaster (2021): On May 26, 2021, an overloaded boat carrying around 160 passengers sank in the Niger River, resulting in the deaths of at least 98 people
- Bagwai Boat Disaster (2021): On November 30, 2021, a boat carrying mostly children aged 8-15 capsized on the Watari Dam in Kano State, killing at least 29 people
- Niger State Boat Accident (2021): In May 2021, 30 people died when a boat carrying 100 passengers hit a stump and broke in two
- Benue State Boat Accident (2020): In July 2020, a boat sank in Benue State with nearly 30 people on board, resulting in seven deaths
- Lagos Boat Accident (2020): In July 2020, seven people died when a boat sank amidst heavy rain near Lagos
HURIWA recalled that these largely avoidable incidents resulted in over 300 deaths across various states in Nigeria, with Kwara and Anambra states recording the most deaths.
Government Response:
President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation into the accidents and directed maritime safety authorities and law enforcement agencies to collaborate and identify the root causes.
Regulatory Failure:
An investigation by TheCable revealed regulatory failure as a contributing factor to the accidents, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and enforcement.
HURIWA then said the government should take the bull by the horn by creating an efficient and effective agency to enlighten and enforce maritime safety rules and to prosecute offenders who willfully create incidents that lead to fatalities from accidents by commercial or private boats on our waterways.
*Emmanuel Onwubiko,
National Coordinator,
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) October 9th 2024.