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Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has expressed shocks over the boat mishap that occurred at Umumu Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The management also commiserated with family of the victims of the unfortunate incident.

These were contained in statement issued and signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the agency, Jibrin Dada’u, and made available to journalists in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The statement stressed that: “The sad report of a boat mishap at Umumu Anam, Anambra West LGA, Anambra State recently is regrettable.

“The Authority is aware that the sad incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi State to Onitsha in Anambra State.

‘Upon the receipt of the sad report, relevant personnel from the marine department were deployed for rescue, recovery, and proper investigation.

“Preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with about 50 passengers on board. From the records, eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.

“The recovery efforts are ongoing, and the Authority will provide detailed information to the public as soon as the field officers report back to the headquarters.

“We sincerely commiserate with the friends and families of the deceased, and prayed to God to rest their souls.

“In the meantime, we want to reassure the public that NIWA is doing everything possible to ensure safer inland waterways for the movement of people and goods across our inland waterways.”