In yet another national tragedy, 106 wedding guests died following a boat accident at Egbu village, in Patigi local government area of Kwara State. Persons killed in this tragedy of monumental proportion are residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi communities, all of Patigi council area of the state. The victims who were returning from a wedding ceremony at a village in Niger State, died when the boat conveying them capsized.
The latest incidence is a sad reminder to the recurring incidences of boat mishaps which dreadfully, are more endemic than ever before in Nigeria due to increased patronage of water transportation in the face of poor infrastructure in the road sector. As is to be expected, the increased patronage has led to pressure of some sort on boat operators and the intolerably sharp rise in the number of deadly accidents.
For instance, in 2021 alone, unconfirmed reports put the number of persons killed in different boat-related accidents across the country at 250. In another report, no fewer than 701 persons were said to have lost their lives in about 52 boat accidents that occurred in the country in 2022. The states of Niger, Kebbi, Lagos, Anambra, Benue, Jigawa, Delta, Kogi, Taraba and Sokoto, have at various times experienced boat mishaps which have led to loss of human lives and property.
Essentially, these accidents call to mind the pressing need to ensure the safety of ferry services. Of course, one sure way of doing this is to put in place necessary structures regulations that are urgently needed to ensure safety of those who see water transportation as the more convenient way of commuting for leisure and business.
In the face of these accidents some questions are beginning to be asked by Nigerians regarding regulation of that means of transportation. For instance, do the regulatory authorities test commercial boats to ascertain their safety, construction, control systems, on-board machinery, and electrical equipment before allowing them to commence operations?
Until this is done with full enforcement, the desire to reduce boat-related accidents and, more importantly, ensure boating safety, will remain a pipe dream because they form part of the key factors responsible for these accidents which have continued to cause grief and gnashing of teeth in most families and communities whose residents often rely on water transportation.
Clearly, these accidents are often caused by human- related factors such as overloading and carelessness on the part of the operators. The Kwara mishap which is the latest in a series of such tragedies, has been attributed to overloading and turbulent winds. The operators, because of their penchant to make more money, often overload their boats and in the process, endanger the lives of their passengers.
While we mourn the victims of this tragic incident, it is apposite to demand from the regulatory authorities like the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority-NIWA- what they are doing to ensure operators adhere to basic safety guidelines?
It is a given, in our opinion, that operators are supposed to observe certain safety standards including having life jackets, lifebuoys and other safety equipment on board. Is there anything to suggest that the operators of the Kwara ill-fated boat observed such safety guidelines? Therein lies the key factor responsible for this recurring tragedy which often leads to loss of human lives and property.
Perhaps it is time for NIWA and other regulatory agencies to intensify monitoring and safety patrol and, most importantly, impose hefty penalties on operators found wanting. Specifically, NIWA must rise up to the occasion and demonstrate commitment by not only strengthening its monitoring and patrol mechanisms but ultimately ensuring that appropriate sanctions are meted out to operators who attempt to circumvent laid down procedures.
Tellingly, as a nation, we must demonstrate in clear terms that we value human lives and hence won’t compromise safety and standards which, if not fully observed, can put lives at risk like we always witness with such avoidable tragedies.
This newspaper joins other Nigerians to commiserate with the government and people of Kwara State and, in particular, the people of Patigi on the unfortunate incident. We also sympathise with all the victims of boat mishaps that occurred in different parts of the country.
But even as we mourn with families and others who are bereaved by this disaster, there is the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain the causes of this monumental tragedy to guard against future occurrence.
Importantly too, efforts must be made to further boost the critical infrastructures needed to have an enhanced water transportation. This is one tragedy too many!
