The House of Representatives has ordered the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, as well as the Ministry of Transportation, to conduct a thorough inquiry into recent boat incidents in Nigeria.
This is a follow-up to a motion of urgent national importance calling attention to the recent boat tragedy in Kogi State that involved over 160 passengers, with only 24 rescued, about 54 confirmed dead, and an unknown number still unaccounted for.
The motion was moved by Honourable Unyime Idem, who expressed concern that the recent increase in boat accidents has raised worries about the safety of Nigeria’s waterways and the need for immediate action.
The House also called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enforce safety laws and comply with international maritime standards.
