Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The national agency responsible for inland waterways has urged citizens to avoid substandard and poorly maintained watercraft, following a tragic boating accident on the River Benue route that claimed multiple lives. During a technical meeting with boat manufacturers in Abuja, the managing director of the agency attributed ninety percent of water transport mishaps to human error, stating that many boat operators lack proper training and frequently operate under the influence of intoxicants. To combat these safety challenges, the agency is actively collaborating with local boat builders to phase out hazardous wooden vessels in favor of modern, safer alternatives, intensifying community sensitization campaigns, and appealing to the national legislature to expedite the passage of the coastal guards bill to strengthen regulatory enforcement and security across the nation's waterways.