182 Killed In Boat Accidents In Niger State
The Niger State government has revealed that 182 people were killed in boat accidents over the past three years.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, disclosed this during an event to commemorate the 2024 World Maritime Day on Thursday.
The event saw the distribution of fibreglass boats by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) in Minna.
Garba, who shared breakdown of the fatalities, said that 95 lives were lost in 2022, 68 in 2023, and 19 so far in 2024.
He stated that the distribution of 33 fibreglass boats across nine states would aims to reduce such incidents in the future.
““The commissioning of these fibreglass boats today by N-HYPPADEC is a clear demonstration of the Commission’s mandate to the safety of lives and the prosperity of these riverine communities, whose daily lives are inextricably linked to our rivers and waterways.
“This gesture will not only save lives but give a sense of belonging to these communities and the need for continued support for government initiatives. This laudable project is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in the safety and security of our people.
“We understand the challenges these communities face daily, and by advancing safety in the maritime sector, HYPPADEC is actively protecting lives, easing transportation, and ensuring that our waterways remain a source of livelihood,” Garba said.
He added that the boats will improve transportation for farmers and traders, and enhance trade networks and community connectivity.
The state government affirmed its committed to partnering with N-HYPPADEC and other stakeholders to further develop the vulnerable riverine communities.
In his address, N-HYPPADEC’s Managing Director, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, emphasised the importance of water transportation in the Commission’s communities, where it serves as the backbone of daily life and commerce.
However, Yelwa acknowledged that reliance on water transport has come at a heavy price, with boat mishaps being a recurring issue.
“Boat accidents have been caused by various factors, including water snags, overloading, night travel, and the failure to use life jackets,” Yelwa explained.
He further noted that dam operations, which affect river flow, complicate navigation, especially around Kainji Lake, where many fatal accidents have occurred.
Yelwa highlighted the Commission’s efforts to improve safety on the waterways, including a water snag clearing project carried out in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which significantly reduced obstacles that could lead to accidents.
He said, “We have also learnt that the flow of the rivers is often affected by the operation of hydro dams, which complicate navigation for both commercial and private boat operators. We cannot forget the painful instances of boat accidents that have claimed lives and caused untold hardship in the communities neighbouring the Kainji Lake between the vicinity of Shagunu of Borgu Emirate here in Niger State and Warrah of Yauri Emirate in Kebbi State.
“We have either witnessed or heard of many tragedies of a boat capsizing on the Rivers Niger and Kaduna, claiming the lives of many individuals including children, leaving families devastated by the loss of their loved ones. The incidents remind us of the risks that many in our riverine communities were facing every day.
“Recognising the dangers posed by water snags, we collaborated with NIWA to carry out a water snags clearing project. Together, we removed a considerable number of tree logs from parts of the Kainji and Shiroro Lakes, significantly reducing the likelihood of boat accidents caused by the snags. This was an important early step in our efforts to make our waterways safer for all who depend on them.”
Also, N-HYPPADEC distributed 10,000 life jackets to communities across its operational zone.
He stated that distribution of fibreglass boats is a crucial part of N-HYPPADEC’s initiative to replace traditional wooden boats, which are prone to accidents and sinking.
“The traditional wooden boats that many rely on are often prone to accidents. Although they are widely used, the wooden boats can easily be damaged, and their susceptibility to sinking makes them dangerous, especially in harsh weather conditions or turbulent waters. It is against this backdrop that we have taken a bold step to procure and distribute these 33 modern fibreglass boats.
Way
“These boats are a significant improvement over the traditional wooden boats. They are more durable and safer and offer superior performance in navigating rivers. Unlike wooden boats, fibreglass boats are built to withstand the rigours of water travel. Even while they have the capacity of carrying 25 persons, they do not easily sink, even in adverse conditions and they are designed to cruise smoothly against water tides, offering stability and confidence to those on board”, he said.
The boats, capable of carrying 25 people, are designed to cruise smoothly against water tides, providing stability and confidence to passengers.
Yelwa called on state governments to invest more in water transportation, asserting that it deserves the same level of attention as road and air travel infrastructure.
He stated that the N-HYPPADEC allocated eight boats to Niger State, with other states such Kaduna and Gombe states would get one boat each, Nasarawa and Taraba states would get two boats each, Benue state would get three boats, Kwara and Kogi would get four boats each, Kebbi would get six boats while Niger state would get eight boats.
182 Killed In Boat Accidents In Niger State is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
