The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has condemned the recent boat accident in Kogi State that claimed close to 200 lives, describing it as “one death too many.”
The association is calling on the government to take proactive measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
According to NAPS National Secretary General, Agada Noah, the accident is a painful reminder of the recurrent boat mishaps in the country, many of which are preventable.
He attributed the causes of these accidents to human factors, including negligence, lack of adherence to safety protocols, and the use of substandard or overloaded vessels.
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To address these issues, NAPS is calling on the National Assembly to increase budgetary allocation to the maritime and Inland Waterway sectors. This funding should focus on enhancing safety infrastructure, providing better equipment for emergency responses, and recruiting more trained personnel.
The association is also demanding that stakeholders enforce stricter regulations on boat operators, ensure regular maintenance of vessels, and impose penalties for non-compliance with safety standards.
Furthermore, NAPS is calling on the Federal government to expedite the process of phasing out wooden boats and replacing them with modern ones.
Additionally, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should increase budgetary allocations and manpower for the National Inward Waterways Authority (NIWA) to meet the demands of its duties. NAPS also emphasized the need for those responsible for waterways accidents or negligence to be held accountable.
The association is urging National Assembly members from riverine areas to collaborate with water transporters to provide modern facilities, campaigns, and sensitization to reduce accidents.
NAPS remains committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of Nigerians and urges relevant authorities to take proactive measures to prevent future tragedies.