Following the boat accident that claimed 11 lives in Benue state recently, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has commenced an investigation.
A statement released on Thursday and signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Bureau, Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe said the bureau’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., led a team of investigators on an on-the-spot safety assessment visit to Wadata along the River Benue.
According to the statement, the visit, conducted on Wednesday, was part of the Bureau’s efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, gather first-hand information from affected communities and stakeholders, and strengthen safety measures on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
It added that Governor Hyacinth Alia commended the Bureau’s swift response and called for a stronger and more sustained NSIB presence in the state to support safety advocacy and risk-reduction initiatives along the River Benue.
“The NSIB welcomes every opportunity to collaborate with state governments, local communities, operators, and regulators in advancing transport safety. We remain committed to exploring practical avenues for institutionalising safer navigation on the River Benue and across Nigeria’s inland waterways,” he said.
Addressing journalists during a media briefing, the NSIB DG, Alex Badeh, expressed condolences to the Benue State Government and families of the victims, describing the accident as a painful reminder of the need for greater compliance with safety measures, adding that “our thoughts are with the families and communities affected by this unfortunate accident. Every loss of life is one too many, and while each occurrence presents its own circumstances, many accidents can be prevented through greater safety awareness, responsible operational practices, and stronger collaboration among regulators, operators, and waterway users,” Badeh stated.”
He explained that the visit was not only aimed at understanding the factors behind the accident but also at engaging directly with communities that rely on water transportation for their daily livelihoods.
