Skip to main content

Sokoto Boat Mishap: FG Moves To Reduce Casualties With Additional Equipment

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
L-R: Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Mr. Bola Oyebamiji and Minister of Works for State, Bello M. Goronyo Esq when the former visited the headquarters of Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja on Tuesday. 


Committed to protecting inland water transport across the country, the Federal Government has mapped out strategies to reduce frequent boat mishaps by providing additional infrastructure, equipment and policies to prevent casualties. 

This is coming on the heels of a recent boat mishap at Garin Faji, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State on August 22, 2025. 

At least, six people died, three missing while 19 persons were rescued during the mishap. 

According to reports, the victims were among dozens of people who boarded boats while trying to escape an attack by armed bandits, but unfortunately  one of the boats capsized, leading to casualties.

During an interactive meeting with the management of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Tuesday in Abuja, Goronyo reiterated its commitment to improving safety and rescue operations across Nigeria’s waterways. 

He emphasised that such engagements should be sustained as an ongoing platform for collaboration rather than a 'one-off meeting.'

The minister praised NIWA and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for timely intervention, noting that their coordinated rescue efforts saved several lives and ensured the prompt recovery of victims.

"The rescue efforts in Sokoto demonstrate the importance of synergy between agencies. In the previous week, NIWA and NEMA were on-site even before other responders arrived, rescuing passengers and recovering victims. This level of dedication illustrates what can be achieved when we work together in unity," Goronyo stated.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda, observing that the administration’s vision and policy direction continue to create a supportive framework for enhanced safety, infrastructure, and service delivery across critical sectors, including water transportation.

The MD of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji thanked the minister for his leadership and assured that the agency would continue to strengthen its operations to protect lives and improve navigation safety on the waterways. 

He announced that the Federal Government is set to receive five new boats in the coming months, including one aluminum and one iron boat designated for deployment to Sokoto State.

The NIWA MD also revealed that immediate measures are being implemented to clear water hyacinth that obstructs free movement on the waterways in the region.

 Additionally, arrangements have been finalised for the distribution of life jackets to riverine communities in the coming weeks.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EHCON Moves To Rebrand Environmental Health Sector Using Artificial Intelligence

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Dr Yakubu Baba The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has taken cogent steps to rebrand the environmental health sector using artificial intelligence.  Already, plans are underway to extend the initiative across the six geopolitical zones, as no community would be sidelined.  The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this in Abuja at a 3-day workshop organised by EHCON in collaboration with Afri-Tourism Investment Limited and West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) with the theme: "AI-Driven Operations and Predictive Analysis." The essence of the workshop is to improve environmental health practice and prevent emerging diseases using artificial intelligent.   It is expected to empower Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with the necessary digital skills needed to deepen environmental health practice and provide workable  solutions to problems.  Baba noted that integrating AI into environmental he...
Post a Comment
Read more

EHCON Unveils Technology To Phase-out Emissions, Protect Public Health

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has unveiled a technology meant to phase-out Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and protect public health from emerging diseases, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.  Tagged Oxytane Fuel Additive, it is designed to enhance engine performance, increase fuel efficiency by over 25 percent, and reduce harmful emissions by up to 70 percent. It has been tested on high-capacity generators, including at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation. Oxytane works by cleaning fuel injectors, removing carbon deposits, and improving combustion in petrol, diesel, and kerosene engines. It is used for personal vehicles, generators, and industrial equipment.  Unveiled by EHCON in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment and Oxytane Africa Investment Limited, the initiative will strengthen environmental governance and control Nigeria's carbon footprints.  These formed the c...
6 comments
Read more

EHCON Bolsters NDCs With National Response Initiative On Greenhouse Gas Emissions

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has strengthened Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with the unveiling of national response initiative, meant to cripple diseases traceable to Greenhouse Gas (GhG) emissions nationwide.  This formed the crux of discuss on Monday at the National Stakeholders’ Engagement on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and the Declaration of a Public Health Emergency on Environmental-Related Diseases.  The National Emergency Response Initiative on Environmental Public Health Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (NERI-EPHIGGE) was designed to strengthen Environmental Health Service (EHS) delivery, promote climate responsive public health interventions and enhance the professional capacity of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) across the country to mitigate GhG emissions.  Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) Dr Yakubu Baba said that the i...
Post a Comment
Read more