The Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) has urged the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to implement comprehensive and sustainable reforms within the marine transportation sector to curb the rising incidence of accidents-niwa-bans-unlicensed-operators/” title=”NIWA Cracks Down on Boat …s: Bans Unlicensed Operators and Illegal Loading Points on Waterways”>boat accidents across Nigeria.
In a statement expressing condolences to the families impacted by the recent tragic boat accident in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, which resulted in the loss of 36 lives, KONGONET’s chairperson, Hamza Aliyu, also emphasized the urgent need for immediate support and relief for those affected.
He highlighted that this heartbreaking event is part of a persistent pattern of waterway accidents in Kogi State, especially in riverine communities where boats serve as a crucial mode of transportation and commerce.
“While accidents are sometimes unavoidable, the frequency and gravity of these incidents in Kogi State have surpassed tolerable limits. It is imperative that survivors and bereaved families receive prompt humanitarian aid alongside the development of long-term preventive measures to avert future disasters,” Aliyu stated.
As the coordinating body for civil society organizations in Kogi State, KONGONET expressed profound grief over the preventable boat tragedy in Ibaji, which has once again claimed innocent lives and left many survivors deeply traumatized.
The network also called on the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant authorities to swiftly deliver essential relief supplies, psychological support, and medical treatment to those who survived the accident.
“Support must also be extended to the families of the deceased through emergency financial assistance and counseling services. Crucially, safety patrol teams should be deployed to oversee and regulate high-risk river crossings in Ibaji and neighboring local government areas,” the organization added.
Looking ahead, KONGONET recommended that the Kogi State government collaborate with local communities and civil society groups to develop and enforce a robust Marine Transport Regulatory Framework aimed at enhancing safety and accountability in the sector.
