The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has disagreed with the Lagos State Police Command over the collision of two boats on the Lagos Inland Waterways.
NIWA, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP by the area manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah said two persons were declared missing after 13 were rescued, while five sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
LEADERSHIP had reported that the Lagos State Police Command had said 21 persons were missing after two boats collided at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Braimah said upon investigation, it was found that the wooden boat had barely left the jetty when the fibre boat veered off its course.
She said, “On October 7th, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m., a fibre boat carrying 13 passengers, along with a deckhand, captain, and cargo, was en route from Ebute Ero to Badagry when it collided with a wooden ship. The wooden boat had just departed from the Imore jetty, transporting passengers to the Imore waterside.
“Upon investigation, it was found that the wooden boat had barely left the jetty when the fibre boat veered off its course. The collision was attributed to the fibre boat captain’s obstructed vision, likely caused by the boat’s load.
“Of the 15 passengers believed to be aboard the wooden boat (as no passenger manifest was filled), 13 were rescued, with five sustaining injuries and currently receiving treatment at a hospital. However, two passengers remain missing as of this report.”
