The managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu has mourned the victims of the boat mishap that happened at Gurin River, a suburb of Fufore local government area, Adamawa State, as well as at a river in Gbajibo, Mokwa of Niger State.
While extending his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the dead and the injured, the NIWA managing director stated that the incident is more disheartening as some of the victims on board were reportedly heading for farming activities.
Dr. Moghalu prayed that the Almighty God will comfort the grieving relations at this very difficult time.
Commending the life-saving work of the first responders, local divers and police marine at the scene of the incident, Dr. Moghalu wished the wounded a speedy recovery and success on the search and rescue of some missing passengers on the capsized boat.
He reiterated his call on transporters to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the nation’s waterways, emphasising on the need for the people in the riverine communities traveling by boats and canoes to use live jackets and avoid overcrowded boats.
It would be recalled that in the Niger State accident alone, at least 30 people died in the bus carrying at least 100 passengers.
Also, the Adamawa accident saw at least 15 dead in the boat carrying at least 23 passenger.
