The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on the boat accident that led to the death of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and four others.
The report reveals that the boat driver was not certified and the fiber boat was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority.
According to the report, the boat was carrying 12 passengers and one driver when it collided with a wooden fishing canoe and capsized, throwing all occupants into the Anam River.
Five passengers sustained fatal injuries, while seven others survived, including the driver.
The report highlights several safety lapses, including the lack of a manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat, inadequate safety measures, and the absence of trained divers to assist in the rescue operation.
The NSIB has issued 20 safety recommendations, including the need for the National Inland Waterways Authority to ensure that all boats involved in commercial activities within the national inland waterways are registered and that adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced.
The report’s findings and recommendations aim to prevent similar accidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew members in the Nigerian waterways.