The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced the arrest of the manager of a ferry that capsized in Lagos on Monday, citing alleged negligence and non-compliance with safety regulations.
Mrs. Sarat Braimah, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the arrest stemmed from a thorough investigation into the incident’s circumstances.
“The arrest is aimed at ensuring accountability and setting a precedent for strict adherence to waterways regulations to prevent future occurrences. Further legal actions are underway as investigations continue,” Braimah stated.
She emphasized that the ferry manager is required to produce the captain of the boat involved in the mishap. Investigations revealed that the fibre boat deviated from its designated channel and collided with a wooden boat due to the captain’s obstructed vision, which was attributed to the loads on the fibre boat.
Braimah also indicated that the ferry, owned by Only God Ferry, failed to comply with operational safety standards and proper navigation procedures.
The boat capsized at Imore in Lagos State, leading to this urgent response from NIWA to address safety concerns on the waterways