September 15, 2014 – At least four dead bodies have been recovered from the scene where a boat operated by Okera Nla Boat Association capsized in Lagos.
The boat which was conveying about 20 passengers from Okera Nla to Bayeku in Ikorodu capsized midway on Saturday.
Public Relations Officer, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye said the four dead bodies recovered have been deposited in the morgue at Ikorodu General Hospital by officers of the Marine Police.
He explained that an unknown object pierced through the boat in motion resulting in the boat mishap.
“The boat maintained normal National Inland Waterways Authority Safety Standard but it was unfortunate the mishap happened”, NEMA said.
He said the incident occurred at about 7:30PM on Saturday and that 18 passengers were rescued alive.
At least three boat mishaps were recorded in a period of four months this year, January 24, March 11 and April 2nd, claiming at least 25 lives.
The boat accident at Ogogoro Village was said to have occurred when it collided with a bigger ferry while traveling in the night without headlight.
Another incident occurred in April 2nd involving a boat operated by Bell Marine Services, which had about 28 passengers on board. It was said to have disintegrated and sank in the Majidun River, Ikorodu after crashing into a wooden object in the water ways.
Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said 1, 800,000 passengers currently use boat as a means of transport in Lagos state from a modest beginning of 300,000 per month.
