Lagos residents warned against dumping refuse on waterways to prevent boat mishaps
Dumping of refuse on waterways has led to series of boat mishaps in recent times.
The President, Association of Tourists Boat Operators and water Transporters of Nigeria, Mr Ganiyu Tarzan, has warned residents of Lagos state against dumping refuse on waterways to avoid boat mishaps.
Below are major waterways with history of boat mishaps in recent times:
Oworonsoki end of Third Mainland bridge:
Lagos State Government recently confirmed the rescue of 19 passengers in a boat mishap which occurred in Oworonsoki end of Third Mainland bridge.
Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) confirmed the development in a statement issued to newsmen.
The statement said 19 passengers in the boat were rescued, while one of passenger lost her life.
It said the passenger boat, identified as SEALINK, was travelling from Ikorodu to CMS.
Kebbi boat mishap:
No fewer than 53 traders were feared dead in a boat mishap on River Niger in Bagudo, Kebbi.
According to the Chairman of Bagudo Local Government Council in Kebbi, Alhaji Muhammad Zagga, the traders were going to the market when the incident happened.
“Majority of the traders are from Gaya Village in Niger Republic. They were going to a market in Lolo when their boat capsized,” he said.
Zagga said that out of some 100 passengers on board the boat, 47 were rescued while others could not yet be accounted for.
The Niger boat mishap:
The Niger State EmergencyManagement Agency(NSEMA) confirmed the death of 22 persons in a boat mishap around Mahuta community in Agwara Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased were traveling on Tuesday from Yauri in Kebbi and Mage around Kotangora area to Manhuta in Niger.
