Nigerian Transportation Commissioners’ Forum (NTCF) has expressed grief over the reoccurring incidents of boat accidents in some parts of the country.
Executive Secretary of NTCF, Mrs Chinwe Uwaegbute, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
Uwaegbute described the incidents as unfortunate, saying that they needed to be tackled in order to protect the lives and property of the citizens.
While sympathising with families of the victims, he said that the forum would collaborate with relevant stakeholders and agencies to contribute its quota for the good of all.
“The recent boat accident in Ogbaru, Anambra, is an unfortunate situation that could have been averted if laid down rules and regulations were strictly adhered to by all concerned.
”Sometimes, you will discover that a boat designed to carry certain number of passengers is made to take twice its capacity, thereby overloading it and endangering lives.
”The forum sympathises with Gov. Charles Soludo and his Commissioner for Transportation, Patricia Igwebuike, on these recent mishaps.
”The forum will collaborate with the state government on water transportation to drive best practices in form of regulations and policies.
”We will educate actors within the water transportation through robust sensitisation and safety awareness to adhere strictly to water regulations and safety procedures.
”The forum is appealing for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to cushion the effects of the challenges faced by victims of these mishaps.
NAN reports that a boat carrying about 85 people had reportedly capsized near a bridge, with about nine people rescued, while many occupants of the boat have not been accounted for.
The boat, carrying 85 people, was said to have capsized, following rising floods in the Ogbaru area of the state, with authorities confirming 76 people dead.
(NAN)