The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, along with the Ministry of Transportation, to thoroughly investigate recent boat accidents in Nigeria.
This follows a motion of urgent national importance addressing the recent tragedy in Kogi State, where a boat carrying over 160 passengers capsized. Only 24 people were rescued, about 54 confirmed dead, and several others remain missing.
Honourable Unyime Idem, who introduced the motion, expressed deep concern over the rising frequency of boat accidents, highlighting the urgent need to improve the safety of Nigeria’s waterways.
The House also urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to strictly enforce safety regulations and ensure compliance with international maritime standards.