The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed deep sorrow over the boat accident that occurred on December 15, 2024, in which several lives were lost. The tragic incident took place on River Benue in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, when a commercial wooden boat carrying 70-80 passengers capsized while en route from Agatu to Odenyi in Nasarawa State.
Reports indicate that the boat, powered by an outboard engine and owned by Mr. Abubakar Muhammed, was overloaded and travelling at excessive speed, which is believed to have contributed to the tragedy. Eyewitnesses have highlighted these factors as the primary causes of the fatal accident.
In his statement, Oyetola stressed the importance of improving safety on Nigerian waterways, urging for more stringent enforcement of safety protocols. “This incident underscores the urgent need for greater caution among boat operators and users. We must take decisive action to enforce stricter safety measures to safeguard lives,” he said.
The Minister also called on key stakeholders, including local governments, community leaders, and agencies like the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), to work together with the Ministry to reduce future incidents. He emphasised the need for full adherence to the operational code set out by NIWA, which includes rules like mandatory life jackets and restrictions on overloading.
Oyetola concluded by stressing that violators of these safety rules should face appropriate penalties. “Any parties found neglecting these safety protocols should be subjected to fines or prosecution,” he added. The minister’s remarks come as part of a wider effort to improve safety on Nigeria’s waterways and prevent similar accidents in the future.
