Benue boat mishap: Oyetola calls for stricter waterway safety

By Seun Ibiyemi

A tragic boat accident on December 15, 2024, claimed several lives when a wooden boat carrying about 70 to 80 passengers capsized on the River Benue while travelling from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State to Nasarawa State.

The passengers, mostly traders, were returning to Odenyi in Nasarawa Toto Local Government Area after attending the Ocholonya Market in Agatu. Eyewitness reports suggest that the boat, owned by Mr. Abubakar Muhammed, was overloaded and travelling at excessive speed when it capsized, leading to the fatal incident.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the victims’ families. He decried the frequent boat mishaps on Nigerian waterways and stressed the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations.

“The incident highlights the urgent need for caution by boat operators and users. We must strengthen safety measures on our waterways to prevent future occurrences,” the Minister said.

He urged state and local governments, community leaders, and other stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enforce safety guidelines, including wearing life jackets and avoiding overloading.

“Any individual or operator found guilty of endangering lives through negligence will face fines or prosecution according to the law,” he warned.

The government has promised to intensify monitoring efforts and raise public awareness to ensure safer water transportation across the country.