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Three persons were feared dead while three others were hospitalized, yesterday, in Bayeku area of Ikorodu in a boat mishap involving 21 passengers. The dead  were said to be three females between the ages of 24 and 26 while three  survivors were hospitalized at two different private hospitals within the area. The news of the mishap filtered into a prayer session organized in front of the Baale of Bayeku’s palace and this led to an abrupt end of the session as residents trooped enmasse to the river bank.

The incident occurred barely five minutes after the boat left Oke-Ira jetty for Bayeku  after its propeller got stuck  under the water leading to the mishap which occurred at about 12.40pm. There were conflicting accounts on the cause of the incident as some people attributed it to over speeding while others claimed it was as a result of fishing nets which hooked the engine propeller. Eye witnesses’ account said  prompt arrival of local divers and sympathizers prevented more deaths.

As at the time of filing this report, some  survivors had been taken to  hospital while others were seen thanking God for saving them. However, three of them, who pleaded anonymity, claimed the boat was not in good condition at the time of the incident.

Following the growing cases of boat mishap across Nigeria, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, has explained why the country has been experiencing the menace.

Speaking at the flag off of safety awareness campaigns for operators of boats and other mechanically propelled water crafts, the maritime boss bemoaned the continued increase of boat mishap in the country and attributed it to non-compliance with safety standards. Akpobolokemi  added that adequate sensitization of boat operators, enlightenment of passengers and enforcement of safety standards are necessary to curb the growing cases of boat mishaps in Nigeria.

He explained that NIMASA is committed to the safety of lives and property on the nation’s water ways and as such will continue to intensify safety awareness campaigns in states where water transportation is in high use

Mr. Akpobolokemi who expressed concern over the increasing number of boat accidents which have claimed many lives and properties noted that information sharing with stakeholders has the potential to significantly reduce accidents. The campaign which is in phases has already been conducted in Lagos, Cross River and Anambra states while those of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Kogi states will commence this week.

Under the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 1974), NIMASA as the custodian of all IMO conventions also has responsibility to ensure the safety of lives at sea of all kind of craft in its waters. It could be recalled that many people lost their lives in boat mishaps that occurred in Ikorodu area of Lagos earlier this year.

Prior to the Ikorodu incident, another boat mishap happened in Festac that also claimed some lives. He claimed efforts are being made on daily basis to ensure drastic reduction in such occurrences.