The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boat

  • Badagry boat mishap: nine-year-old girl recovered

    •Her relation still missing

    The body of a nine-year-old victim of Saturday’s boat accident in Badagry was yesterday recovered by rescuers.

    But the search for another victim, described as a sibling of the deceased, is still on.

    The Nation gathered that the ill-fated craft, initially thought to be a commercial boat, belongs to a traditional ruler in Badagry.

    It was learnt that the boat was conveying an entire family to an outing from Ebute Iworo to Daddy Luwi, when it hit a log and capsized.

    The boat driver fled to evade arrest for alleged failure to enforce safety procedure. The police were said to have invited the Chairman of Badagry Boat Operators Association, who name was given as Meshileya for questioning, and was released.

    A police source said the monarch was also invited for questioning and was released.

    He said: “They were invited for questioning to assist us in our investigation. We did not arrest them.

    “The issue was that the boat driver ran away and we needed some certain questions answered. We invited the operator’s chairman because we wanted to know why they allowed such a boat to operate.

    “What we discovered was that it was a private boat, which was not supposed to be used as a commercial boat. This necessitated us to invite the traditional ruler.

    “We invited the traditional ruler because we discovered that the boat is his. We also wanted to know why his boat has no life jackets.”

     

    National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesperson in the South-west, Ibrahim Farinloye said the search for the other missing child was ongoing.

    “The boat was a fibre boat but it so happened that the open canoe hit a log while sailing and upturned the passengers into the lagoon.

    “The log fellers usually transport logs through the waterways and probably one of the logs fell off without them knowing. It was this log the boat ran into.

    “We are having issues with verification because the figure we came up with was nine while the figure being touted is 10.

    “But from what we know, it was eight passengers onboard, including the driver, making it nine. The problem is that there was no manifest and so we don’t even know whether he picked up people at sea,” said Farinloye.

  • Controversy over boat mishap

    Controversy over boat mishap

    NOW many people died in Saturday’s Ijede, Lagos boat mishap? Seven, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) insisted yesterday.

    But residents of the neighbourhood are claiming that the casualty figure is 13.

    According to LASEMA, besides the dead, eight others survived including the four discharged from Ikorodu General Hospital yesterday.

    Also yesterday, the family of one Kareem Lasisi, who said he is yet to be found, claimed he was a passenger in the boat.

    The boat, the first to take off after the monthly environment sanitation held across the state last Saturday, capsized around 10:30am en route Badore.

    It was said to have hit a heap of sand packed by sand dredgers, causing the 20-passenger boat to overturn.

    Four persons including the driver, motorboy and two passengers, were said to have walked out of the wrecked boat without assistance.

    Among the survivors were 21-year-old Ayebo Atinuke and Adetula Makunju, 28.

    A source at the crash site, who gave his name as Bode, told The Nation that 13 people died including the jetty’s ticketing officer identified as Taiwo.

    He claimed that four bodies were initially recovered dead; adding that the rescuers later got three persons, who were proclaimed dead on arrival at the Aromedics Hospital.

    Another man, he said, was also confirmed dead at Ikorodu General Hospital.

    According to him: “The boat had 20 people, 17 passengers and three crew members; it was going to Badore and it was the first boat to leave after environmental sanitation. It crashed into a heap of sand midway to Badore and only four people walked out alive. Four others were recovered dead from the water.

    “Much later, three persons were rescued and rushed to Aromedics Hospital which is nearby but they were confirmed dead on arrival. Four others were rescued again and taken to Ikorodu General Hospital, where one of them died.

    “Now, we are still looking for Lasisi. His children have been here since and that man is still missing.”

    Another source told The Nation that the boat conductor identified as Sunday Ebijimi has been arrested by the Marine Police at Ijede.

    He explained that no commercial activity has taken place since the accident occurred, adding that the only boats that have plied the water are those on rescue operations.

    LASEMA boss Michael Akindele, who insisted on the casualty figure of seven, however said only the manifest could ascertain the number of those on board.

    “We still stand on our seven dead toll; I have visited the General Hospital and I can tell you that the four surviving victims there have been discharged. One person was pronounced dead on arrival there, while two people had similar fate at a private hospital in Ijede, Aromedics.

    “So far, we can say that eight people survived but without the manifest, I cannot tell you for sure how many people died or were on board the boat. We will get the manifest before this week runs out and then, we can reconcile the figures,” he said.

  • Migrants from Nigeria, others rescued on Europe-bound boat

    Migrants from Nigeria, others rescued on Europe-bound boat

    No fewer than 500 migrants were rescued in seven operations launched at the weekend in the Mediterranean, the Italian coastguard said.

    A spokesman told French News Agency (AFP) yesterday that four of the rescue operations had already wound up but the others were ongoing.

    “Saturday was quiet on the whole but now there is further movement,” he said. “We have had several interventions — one by a ship belonging to (medical charity) MSF, two coastguard units as well as an Italian naval ship and a ship belonging to EU Navfor Med,” he said.

    The migrants mainly came from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Sierra Leone and left Libya three days earlier. They were rescued about 80 kilometres off the Libyan coast.

    The EU Navfor Med is a military operation launched at the end of June to identify, capture and dispose of vessels and rescue migrants undertaking risky journeys in a desperate bid to try and get to Europe from war-ravaged Syria and other trouble spots.

    The mission is equipped with four ships, including an Italian aircraft carrier, and four planes. It is manned by 1,318 troops from 22 European countries.

    A German frigate named Werra and an MSF (Doctors Without Borders) ship rescued 140 people from a giant dinghy on Saturday afternoon, according to an AFP photographer.

    EU leaders have agreed to boost aid for Syria’s neighbours, including one billion dollars through UN agencies, in a bid to mitigate the refugee influx into Europe.

    Some 500,000 people have come to Europe so far this year, the International Organization for Migration says, many of them taking perilous journeys across the Mediterranean on inflatable dinghies.

    More than 2,800 people have died or disappeared making the crossing since January.

    Up to 20,000 people demonstrated in the Belgian capital yesterday in support of refugees, demanding they be welcomed and treated properly.

    The organisers, a collection of local and international rights groups, said there were “20,000 people in Brussels to say welcome to refugees.”

    [ad id=”403656″]“Thanks for this fantastic effort,” the ‘Citizens Platform for support of refugees in Brussels’ said on Facebook.

    “Standing behind us are all the European citizens who are working to help the refugees,” Elodie Francart of the Citizens’ Platform group was quoted as saying by the Belga news agency.

    The marchers carried banners reading “Refugees Welcome” while many tweeted messages of support and encouragement.

    Police said some 15,000 people took part, gathering near the Gare du Nord train station close to what is known as the “Foreigners Office” where migrants must submit their papers and applications for asylum.

    In a nearby park, local people have built a tent village in recent weeks to offer food, clothing and shelter for the many migrants fleeing conflict and upheaval in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Eritrea and Afghanistan.

    Belgium has a large immigrant community and the recent influx has largely been tolerated but the centre-right government has faced criticism that it has not done enough.

    The authorities say they are doing everything possible given the numbers involved but insist the rules on asylum must be followed.

  • Lagos to enforce rules for boat operators

    The Lagos State Government will embark on aggressive campaign and enforcement of guidelines for commercial boat operators to stem boat accidents.

    A statement by Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Managing Director Mrs Abisola Kamson said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would ensure that water transportation, remained the most efficient and cost effective mode of transportation.

    Kamson, who spoke on the backdrop of last weekend’s boat mishap at Oke-Ira Nla, Ajah-Bayeku in Ikorodu, said LASWA was notified of the accident involving a Bayeku Ferry Association commercial boat carrying 20 passengers and two crew members.

    She said upon receiving the notification, the Authority’s Water Guards were immediately deployed to assist in rescue operations.

    Kamson said she later led a delegation of state officials and the Baale of Baiyeku, Chief Saheed Aleje Ajibode to visit the site of the incident.

    She confirmed that all passengers onboard were wearing life jackets, revealing that 17 of them were rescued alive while five who were earlier rushed to the nearest General Hospital, died afterwards.

    The LASWA boss said preliminary investigation by the Authority revealed that aside the mechanical fault that developed when the steering cable connected to the engine propeller cut, the captain of the boat was possibly also over-speeding, adding that he is presently being questioned by the Marine Police.

    She said: “The Lagos State Government in its drive to promote a multi-modal transport system, especially the movement of passengers, goods and services on its waterways, will under no circumstances compromise safety standards and the protection of lives and property. As such we restate our commitment to the promotion of all safety measures and ensure that all operators comply with all safety standards in line with global best practices.

    “You will recall that on Wednesday September 23, at Sabokoji Jetty in Amuwo Odofin local government, the Lagos State Waterways Authority commenced the distribution of 2,400 life jackets to students of riverine areas.”

  • Six die in boat mishap in Sokoto

    Six persons have been confirmed dead in a boat accident, which occurred at the weekend on a river in Bengaji District of Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    Confirming the deaths in a statement to reporters in Sokoto yesterday, Alhaji Mika’ilu Sabo-Yabo, the assistant information officer of the local government, said the six persons died when the boat broke into two.

    According to the statement, four passengers survived with minor injuries.

    The statement said the boat broke into two while in motion, killing six of the passengers, who were from Kissa, Gadara and Kalangu villages.

    “Nobody can tell me what really happened now, but further investigation will show the cause of the mishap.

    “The deceased have been buried according to Islamic rites and the injured are responding to treatment in hospital,” the statement said.

    It said the overseer of the local government, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu, condoled with the deceased’s families and wished the injured quick recovery.

  • Lagos to intensify enforcement of guidelines for boat operators

    The Lagos State Government is to embark on an aggressive campaign and enforcement of guidelines for commercial boat operators, in a bid to forestall the tide of boat mishap in the state.
    In a statement signed by the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mrs Abisola Kamson, the new drive is in line with the commitment of State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode to ensure that water transportation by all standard, remains the most efficient and cost effective mode of transportation.
    Kamson who spoke following the boat mishap which occurred at the weekend along Oke Ira Nla, Ajah-Bayeku, Ikorodu axis of the state, said LASWA was notified of the incident involving a Bayeku Ferry Association commercial boat carrying 20 passenger and two crew members from Oke Ira Nla, Ajah to Bayeku in Ikorodu.
    She said upon receiving the notification, the Authority’s Water Guards were immediately deployed to the scene of the incident to assist in rescue efforts.
    Kamson said she later led a delegation of state officials including the Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Community Affairs, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, and the Baale of Baiyeku, Chief Saheed Aleje Ajibode to visit the site of the incident.
    She confirmed that all passengers onboard were wearing life jackets, revealing that 17 of them were rescued alive while five who were earlier rushed to the nearest General Hospital, died.
    The LASWA boss said preliminary investigation by the Authority revealed that aside the mechanical fault that developed when the steering cable connected to the engine propeller cut, the captain of the boat was possibly also over-speeding, adding that he is presently being questioned by the Marine Police.
    “The Lagos State Government in its drive to promote a multi-modal transport system, especially the movement of passengers, goods and services on its waterways, will under no circumstances compromise safety standards and the protection of lives and property. As such we restate our commitment to the promotion of all safety measures and ensure that all operators comply with all safety standards in line with global best practices”, she said.
    “You will recall that on Wednesday September 23, at Sabokoji Jetty in Amuwo Odofin local government, the Lagos State Waterways Authority commenced the distribution of 2400 life jackets to students of riverine areas.

    “Also, there were live demonstration of how to wear the life jackets, how to administer CPR and provision of water safety tips and vital life saving information,” she said.
    She said the Authority in furtherance of its core functions and policy objectives will in the coming days convene a stakeholders meeting were all commercial and private boat owners will converge and dialogue on the activities of boat operation in the state.

  • Five dead, others missing in Lagos boat mishap

    Five dead, others missing in Lagos boat mishap

    Five persons were confirmed dead on Saturday and five others missing after a boat accident along Lagos-Ikorodu waterways.
    The mishap which occurred around Bayeku- Igbogbo in Ikorodu at about noon was said to have been caused by a steering problem, which the paddler could not control.
    The boat was said to be coming from Oke Ira Nla jetty at Ajah.
    Aside the bad condition of the boat, the crew were said to be inexperienced and over speeding.
    It was gathered that the boat had 20 passengers and two crew, out if which 17 persons were rescued by local fishermen at Igbogbo jetty and rushed to different hospitals.
    Of the 17 rescued, The Nation gathered that one died at Mica Hospital and four others passed on at Ikorodu General Hospital.
    Confirming the development, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Micheal Akindele said the boat captain has been arrested and was being questioned by Marine Policemen from Ikoyi.
    He said they got the call at about 1:29pm, more than an hour after the mishap.
    Akindele confirmed there were 20 passengers and two crew on the boat, acknowledging that 17 persons have been found, with five confirmed dead.
    “Our investigation revealed that 20 passengers were on board and two crew members(the captain and his assistant) before the mishap.
    “15 passengers and 2 crew members were rescued by local fishermen around Bayeku jetty,Igbogbo.
    “Four of the people rescued were taken to a hospital at Bayeku. Three of them are presently responding to treatment while one has been confirmed dead.
    “Seven others among the rescued passengers were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where four were confirmed dead, two were treated and discharged and one in critical condition.
    “Those who have been confirmed dead include four adult males and a female. In all, 17 persons were recovered from the water,” Akindele said.m

  • Two die, 18 injured in boat mishap

    •As inferno roasts man, 32

    Two persons were at the weekend confirmed dead, while 18 others sustained injuries following a boat mishap along Lagos waters.

    The incident which occurred on Friday morning along the Ojo-Tin Can on the Lagos Island waterway was said to have been prompted by an accident involving a passenger boat and a dredging boat.

    It was learnt that the operator of the passenger boat was reckless and could not see oncoming boats because instead of standing, he sat down.

    “They could not see the other boat from his sitting position, and before they could point out the other boat, they were already on it” he added.

    The Nation gathered that deceased were the dredger boat’s operator and his assistant, just as it was learnt that the injured victims are currently being treated at an undisclosed hospital in Ojo.

    The passenger boat was said to have ran into a stationary sand dredging boat around Coconut.

    When the accident occurred, The Nation learnt that local divers immediately, made to rescue the deceased after which they were rushed to a hospital in Coconut where they were confirmed dead.

    The divers also swiftly moved to rescue the other 18 passengers.

    According to a source, some of those who could swim made their way to a nearby island, while the local divers and fishermen who were around, helped in rescuing others.

    In another development, a 32 year old man, was on Saturday consumed by an inferno that razed a residential building in the Lagos suburb.

    The victim, whose name was not given, was said to be at 15, Arabic Crescent, Ojokoro in Ijaiye, a Lagos suburb.

    Confirming the developments, Southwest spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the deceased had been deposited in the morgue.

    He stated that the fire service responded to seven other fire calls on Saturday, adding that about four others have been attended to at the time of filing this story.

  • Locals save ex-Bayelsa deputy governor in boat mishap

    Locals save ex-Bayelsa deputy governor in boat mishap

    Former Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi was rescued in a boat mishap by local divers, it was learnt yesterday.

    Four people died in the mishap.

    An officer of the Department of State Security (DSS) is said to be among those said to have died.

    The DSS officer was attached to the Office of the State Project Monitoring Department on Imgbi Road in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    He was said to have accompanied the head of the department, Mr. Ball Oyarede, an aspirant for a seat in the House of Assembly, to Ekeremor Local Government Area for the ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Oyarede was Commissioner for Land and Housing and former representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties.

    On returning from the ward congress, a boat the DSS officer and Ebebi boarded at the Ekeremor town jetty capsized before leaving the jetty.

    It was learnt that the scramble to rescue Ebebi caused the death of the DSS officer and three others.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, blamed the incident on overload.

    The source said the boat was loaded beyond its capacity, forcing it to tilt and turning upside down.

  • Death toll in Rivers boat mishap rises to 13

    Death toll in the Bonny River boat mishap of last week has risen to 13.

    A double engine Port Harcourt-bound passenger boat reportedly capsized in Bonny, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, on August 29.

    Thirteen people, including two children and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member on board were killed.

    Thirty-five passengers were said to have boarded the boat that morning at Bonny Jetty for Port Harcourt, although it was meant for 28 passengers.

    It was learnt that the boat capsized shortly after it left the jetty.

    Twenty-eight passengers were rescued immediately; 10 others, including two minors, were said to have died while 18 were rushed to hospitals.

    The other seven could not be found immediately.

    A source told our reporters yesterday that three more bodied were later found while the rest were believed to have been swept away by the tides.

    The police could not confirm yesterday the report of the three recovered bodies.

    Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), could not be reached last night for comments.

    But the Chairman of the Eastern Zone of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Peter Igbifa, blamed the mishap on the neglect on marine transportation in the coastal states.

    In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, Igbifa said the frequent boat mishaps on the Southsouth rivers were the result of past governments’ insensitivity and negligent of marine transportation.

    He urged the Rotimi Amaechi administration to declare a state of emergency in Marine Transportation as he did in the Education sector.

    Igbifa sympathised with the families of those who died in mishap.

    The IYC leader said the body planned to set up a “Marine Task Force” that would patrol the waterways to check the excesses of marine transporters and forestall a recurrence.

    He hailed a former Chairman of Bonny Care Taker Committee (CDC), Adoye Wilcox, for his swift response to the incident, adding that this led to the survival of most of the passengers.

    Igbifa said: “I am deeply troubled about the frequent loss of lives of innocent Nigerians on our rivers. We blame the past Federal and state governments for this.

    “Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State is the hub of oil and gas activities in Nigeria. But our communities are neglected. Our only means of transportation is the water channels. Yet, because of negligence of past administrations, the channels are filled with wrecks, which cause havocs to our boats and movements on the water.

    “We are not happy over this. We are call on Governor Chibuike Amaechi to a declare state of emergency on the Marine Transport sector as he did in the Education sector. This will create safe and conducive environment for the sector…”