By Uche Amunike
Tragedy struck at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Monday, as a boat accident involving a boat with the inscription, ‘Only God 13’, traveling from Ebutte Ero to Badagry, with 15 passengers on board, had a collision with a wooden boat carrying 10 passengers from Alakija to Imore.
According to a statement released by the General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, he said that all the 15 passengers on board the ‘Only God 13’ boat, were rescued, while five passengers from the wooden boat sustained injuries. He however stated that extra efforts were being made to locate the whereabouts of the five or more passengers underway.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin also confirmed that emergency responders discovered three bodies while they were combing the lagoon.
Hear him: ‘On October 7, 2024, at about 7 pm, a distress call was received at the Ilashe division reporting that two unregistered passenger boats, each carrying 16 passengers, allegedly collided in the middle of the lagoon at Imore town. As a result, the boats capsized, and the passengers drowned along with their goods,’ he said.
‘Based on the report, teams of conventional and marine policemen, local divers, and other emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to the scene, where 11 passengers were rescued with injuries and rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention.
The LASWA boss, on his part, stated that the agency and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), held an emergency meeting with the community chiefs in Imore and the State Marine Officer to organize rescue operations and support all families affected in the Lagos boat accident.
According to a statement released by the agency, the ferry boat veered off its channel and had a collision with the wooden boat as a result of the obstructed vision of its captain, which was majorly caused by the load on board.
It also indicated that the ferry company allegedly refused to adhere to operational safety standards and improper navigation procedures.
It further read: ‘As a result of these findings, NIWA has taken decisive action by arresting the manager of ‘Only God 13’ ferry for negligence and failure to comply with safety regulations as stipulated by the authority. The arrest is aimed at ensuring accountability and setting a precedent for strict adherence to waterways regulations to prevent future occurrence.’
Meanwhile, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has expressed their regrets about the Lagos boat accident through a press release where they condoled with families of the victims and further wished all the injured parties quick recovery.
Speaking through the statement, the President of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, lauded the NIWA Managing Director, Mr Bola Oyebamiji for his prompt intervention which made way for the rescue of some victims and immediate treatment of victims.
Hear him: ‘We commend Mr. Bola Oyebamiji for his swift intervention, which led to the rescue of some victims and the prompt treatment of the injured. His decisive action in the immediate aftermath of the incident is worthy of recognition.’
He further appreciated NIWA’s commitment to arresting those responsible for the mishap, as it would serve as a deterrent to others, moving forward.
He also urged the federal government to provide NIWA with the needed resources to enforce safe regulations, even as he hoped that the Lagos boat accident will motivate stakeholders to make safety on the waterways a a priority at all times.
