The Benue State Government has taken swift action in response to a recent boat accident on the River Katsina-Ala, suspending the Buruku branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers and ordering the arrest of the boat skipper. The accident, which occurred on Saturday morning, left several passengers unaccounted for. Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, inspected the scene and directed a crackdown on activities at the Buruku river crossing.
According to Iyaghigba, an inter-ministerial committee has been set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the mishap and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The committee will work with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to strengthen safety measures on Benue's waterways. The government has also activated its search and rescue processes, working with local divers to intensify the search and rescue operations.
The state government has directed all operators at river crossing points across the state to strictly enforce the mandatory use of life jackets by passengers. This move aims to prevent similar accidents in the future. Iyaghigba also drew attention to an abandoned barge at the crossing point, suspected to have contributed to the accident, and gave its owner seven days to remove it or face confiscation.
The boat accident occurred when the passenger boat capsized while crossing the River Katsina-Ala. Some passengers were rescued, while others remained unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continued. The government has promised to make further details available as investigations and rescue efforts continue.
The suspension of the Buruku branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers and the operator of the affected route is part of the government's efforts to take a closer look at the activities of maritime workers in the state. The government will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that safety measures are put in place to prevent similar accidents.
Local divers have joined efforts to locate passengers still missing after the wooden boat capsized. The government has assured that it will do everything possible to support the affected families and ensure that those responsible for the accident are brought to book. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures on Benue's waterways.
The government has given assurance that it will strengthen safety measures on Benue's waterways to prevent similar accidents. The incident has also highlighted the need for increased awareness and education on the importance of safety measures on waterways.
Key points
- The Benue State Government has suspended the Buruku branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers and ordered the arrest of the boat skipper.
- An inter-ministerial committee has been set up to investigate the accident and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
- The government has directed operators to enforce the mandatory use of life jackets by passengers.
