THE MARITIME WORKERS Union of Nigeria, Ganaja Unit, Kogi State, are appealing to state government including political office holders to provide life jackets for passengers using Waterways.
Mr. Ishiaka Aliyu Musa, the unit chairman pleaded with authorities during an interview in his office in Ganaja, Lokoja.
He said the appeal was necessitated by recent boat mishaps along the state’s waterways, recalling the November 28, 2024, tragedy in which over 20 passengers lost their lives.
According to Musa, most of the victims in the incident were not wearing life jackets, while survivors had theirs on. He attributed the situation to the high cost of life jackets, which range between N10,000 and N20,000, making them unaffordable for many passengers.
“The major challenge is that most people who travel on the waterways cannot afford the cost of a life jacket. You know it is the primary responsibility of every passenger to provide a life jacket as personal property and wear it anytime they want to board a boat. Unfortunately, many cannot afford that cost,” he said.
Musa appealed to Governor Usman Ododo lawmakers, and local government officials to consider bulk purchases of life jackets for free distribution, particularly to market women and youths who frequently use the waterways. He also called on humanitarian organisations such as the Red Cross and corporate entities to support the initiative as part of their corporate social responsibility.
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“This is a humanitarian call for the protection of our people. We also expect corporate individuals and organisations to take the issue of life jackets seriously and donate towards it,” Musa added.
He commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its consistent donation of life jackets, despite it not being their primary responsibility. He assured that with an adequate supply of life jackets, the union would collaborate with NIWA to enforce their use by all passengers on the waterways.
No Life-Jacket: Boat Mishap Claims Thousands of Lives In Niger
According to Channels TV, A boat carrying over 200 passengers along Dambo-Ebioji sections of River Niger, resulted in the loss of multiple lives.
According to eyewitnesses, the boat, which belonged to one Musa Dangana, was carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm labourers, en route to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State.
This tragic incident comes just months after a similar one occurred on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State on October 1, 2024, resulting in the loss of many lives.
In September 2023, a similar incident happened in Niger State when a boat ferrying over 50 passengers capsized.
