IKORODU BOAT MISHAP UPDATE:NIWA Deploys Marine Police To Monitor Passengers Compliance Level At Ebute Ero

The Lagos Area Manager , National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) ,Engineer Sarat Lara Braimah, has said that the Ebute Ero jetty, the departure point of the ill fated boat MV Lalek Marine will henceforth be monitored by Police officials attached to the agency pending the conclusion of investigation to the incident.

The ill fated boat which capsized Friday night with 14 passengers rescued, failed to adhere to 6pm sailing regime guiding water transportation services in the disclosed .

In a statement on Saturday, by the Lagos State Area Manager, noted that the boat operator apart from violating the extant time of operation regime which is at 6pm and not 8pm, also overloaded the vessel against the covid 19 protocol which allows only 60 per cent carrying capacity for all types of boats in order to encourage social distancing.

Braimoh stated also that the owner of the boat and collaborators are being tracked down by NIWA to explain how the unfortunate incident happened.

“We at NIWA responded immediately and joined the marine police, LASWA and other concerned agencies to rescue the 14 passengers and also recovered six others already drowned, with one missing”. She explained.

“The MD of NIWA has directed that the jetty be monitored by NIWA police to avoid reoccurrence of the incident and to enable NIWA conduct full investigation to this very sad but avoidable violation” she added, noting that NIWA management had a month ago offered waiver and reduced sundry fees and other operational charges across board in the brown water economy to help stakeholders stick to post covid 19 protocols and to check tendencies that might encourage violations of extant regulation regime.

“The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu knew that some operators might be tempted to make quick money to make up for the lost opportunities and financial loss experienced during the lockdown and therefore was futuristic and proactive to reduce the fees and charges, knowing the expected impact of the new normal on operators but we can see from what happened that some operators are so uncaring and selfish to end the lives of innocent people through blatant violation of the rules of engagement.

” NIWA is still investigating the situation, looking at various scenarios and engaging other agencies and boat operators association to nip this type of avoidable incident in the bud”. She stated.

It will be recalled that the boat named lalek marine, operated out of Ebute Ero jetty on Friday night by 8pm and capsized on its way to Ikorodu, shortly after departure, with 14 passengers rescued and six dead with one missing.