The National Inland Waterways Authority has noted with sadness, the unfortunate boat mishap that occurred last Wednesday, 4th May, 2022 at about 11.00pm in Mai-Adua Local Government Area of Katsina State in which fifteen (15) persons lost their lives.

A statement issued by Jibrin Dardau, General Manager , Corporate Affairs of the Authority states that, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We are greatly pained that this mishap occurred, despite all the measures the Authority has put in place to forestall such mishaps. Only recently, the Authority distributed life jackets and some patrol vessels to all our Area Offices across the country, to enhance surveillance and monitoring of activities on the waterways.

“We further wish to appeal to passengers and boat drivers to obey the rules and guidelines regulating passenger transportation. The use of life jackets; no sailing at night; the use of standard boats and not overloading the boats are key guidelines for safe passenger transportation.”

“As we condole with the government and people of Katsina State and in particular, the families of the deceased, we shall not relent on our efforts to curb these occurrences within our inland waterways.”