Nigeria Records 3,310 Boat Mishaps In 10 Years

The Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN) says a total of 3,310 boat mishaps occurrd in Nigeria’s waters in 10 years.
The group, which expressed concerns about recurring boat mishaps in the nation’s waterways, attributed the accidents to recklessness of drivers, alcohol consumption by drivers, overloading, and lack of life jackets for passengers.
Director General, MCBAN, Clem Ifezue, stated this in Port Harcourt during an interview with journalists.
“I don’t think enough has been done in this sector. That’s why we have been seeing all these accidents on water here and there.
“In the last 10 years, we are looking at the statistics, Nigeria has recorded about 3,130 accidents on water. That is huge.
“If you divide it by 10, you are going to have over 300 accidents every year. If you divide it by 365, may be you should be having one accident everyday. And each of the accidents came with fatality. Don’t we have value for life in this country? Which accident will happen before we begin to talk?”
He urged the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), armed with the responsibility to regulate, monitor and enforce laws on the waterways, to rise up to its responsibility and save lives ànd property in the country.

By: Chinedu Wosu