Boat mishap
Lagos boat mishap: NIWA arrests ferry manager over alleged negligence
The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has wielded the stick, arresting the manager of a Lagos ferry boat which capsized on Monday for negligence and failure to comply with safety regulations.
The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Mrs Sarat Braimah, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to her, the arrest was effected after a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident which alleged negligence.
She said, “The arrest is aimed at ensuring accountability and setting a precedent for strict adherence to waterways regulations to prevent future occurrences. Further legal actions are underway as investigations continue.”
The ferry manager must produce the captain of the boat, she said, explaining that it was established that the fiber boat veered off its channel and collided with a wooden boat due to the obstructed vision of the captain.
Braimah said the obstruction was largely due to loads on the fiber boat, adding that the boat owned by Only God Ferry failed to adhere to operational safety standards and proper navigation procedures.