Update on Ikorodu boat mishap: NIWA to shut down operations of boat owner

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has threatened to shut down the operations of the company whose boat was involved in a mishap on Friday night on its way to Ikorodu from Ebute-Ero, Lagos.

NIWA in a statement on Sunday, said that “The ill-fated Lalek Marine boat which capsized Friday night with 14 passengers rescued, failed to adhere to 6pm sailing regime guiding water transportation services in Lagos.”

In a preliminary report on the sad and avoidable incident, the Lagos Area Office of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), stated that the boat operator, apart from violating the extant time of operation regime which is at 6pm and not 8pm, also overloaded the boat against the Covid-19 protocol which allows only 60 per cent carrying capacity for all types of boats in order to encourage social distancing.

“We at NIWA responded immediately and joined the Marine Police, LASWA and other concerned agencies to rescue the 14 passengers and also recovered six others already drowned, with one missing,” The Lagos Area Manager, Mrs. Sarat Braimah said.

She further explained that the Ebute Ero Jetty, the departure point of the ill-fated boat, would henceforth be monitored by NIWA Police, pending the conclusion of investigation to the incident.

Also, the owner of the boat is being tracked down by NIWA to give explanation on how the unfortunate incident happened and if need be, the collaborators to this whole unfortunate episode.

“The MD of NIWA has directed that the Jetty be monitored by NIWA Police to avoid a re-occurrence of the incident and to enable NIWA conduct full investigation to this very sad but avoidable violation.”

She noted that NIWA Management had a month ago offered waiver and reduced sundry fees and other operational charges across board in the brown water economy to help stakeholders stick to post Covid 19 protocols and to check tendencies that might encourage violations of extant regulation regime.

“The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, knew that some operators might be tempted to make quick money to make up for the lost opportunities and financial loss experienced during the lockdown and therefore, was futuristic and proactive to reduce the fees and charges, knowing the expected impact of the new normal on operators but, we can see from what happened that some operators are so uncaring and selfish to end the lives of innocent people through blatant violation of the rules of engagement.

“NIWA is still investigating the situation, looking at various scenarios and engaging other agencies and boat operators association to nip this type of avoidable incident in the bud,” she stated.

It will be recalled that the boat named Lalek Marine, operated out of Ebute Ero Jetty on Friday night by 8pm and capsized on its way to Ikorodu, shortly after departure, with 14 passengers rescued and six dead, and one missing.