Lagos Boat Mishap: Sanwo-Olu orders probe into the accident

Image: New Nigerian Newspaper

Following the Mile 12-Ibeshe boat mishap of July 8 that claimed the lives of more than 17 people, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered a probe into the accident on Monday.

Sanwo-Olu released a statement through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, where he expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident and commiserated with the families of victims of the ill-fated boat.

He said:

The police are probing what went wrong and treating the sad incident as criminal. The boat, which is said to be unlicensed, obviously broke the waterways rules of “no night travel” and no overloading. Besides, not all of the passengers wore life jackets, and the boat did not take off from a government-approved jetty.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and others are assisting the investigators.

Anybody who is found to have contributed in any way to this tragedy will surely face the law to ensure that we do not have any such incidents in future. The waterways rules and regulations are clear; they must be respected in accordance with the greatest value that the Sanwo-Olu administration places on human life.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. May The Almighty strengthen them in this difficult time.

guardian.ng

#Babajide Sanwo-Olu
#Lagos State
#Mile 12-Ibeshe Boat mishap