The Management of National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA has disclosed that a boat carrying about 50 passengers capsized and killed 8 persons while 38 were rescued .
The boat mishap occured at the Umumu Anam, Anambra West LGA, Anambra state between Thursday 4th and Friday 5th January of 2024 at about 7am,
In a press statement signed by Jibril Darda’u , GM , Corporate Affairs, and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, the Authority said it is aware that the sad incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi state to Onitsha in Anambra state.
According to the statement “Upon the receipt of the sad report, relevant personnel from the marine department were deployed for rescue, recovery, and proper investigation.
The statement added that preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with about 50 passengers on board.
“From the records, 8 persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.
“The statement assure general public that recovery efforts are ongoing and
the Authority will provide detailed information as soon as the field officers report back to the headquarters.
The Authority sincerely commiserates with the friends and families of the deceased and prayed to God to rest their souls.
“In the meantime, we want to reassure the general public that NIWA is doing everything possible to ensure safer inland waterways for the movement of people and goods across our inland waterways.
