Benue State Government has suspended the Buruku branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers, NUMW, following the boat accident on the River Katsina-Ala that left several passengers missing.
The government also suspended the operator of the affected river crossing and ordered the arrest and detention of the boat skipper pending the outcome of investigations into the incident.
The directives were issued after the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, visited the scene of the accident to assess the situation and coordinate ongoing rescue efforts.
The government said search and rescue operations were still underway, with local divers working alongside relevant agencies to locate passengers who remained unaccounted for after the wooden boat capsized.
“The Ministry has since activated its search and rescue processes and is working with local divers to intensify the search and rescue,” the Commissioner said.
Iyaghigba disclosed that an inter-ministerial committee had been constituted to investigate the accident and establish its immediate, remote and underlying causes.
According to him, the committee would also recommend measures aimed at preventing similar incidents on the state’s waterways.
The Commissioner directed operators at all river crossing points in Benue to ensure that passengers wear life jackets as required, stressing the need for strict compliance with safety regulations.
He also raised concerns over an abandoned barge located at the crossing point, which he said might have played a role in the accident.
Iyaghigba consequently gave the owner of the abandoned barge seven days to remove it from the area, warning that failure to comply would result in its confiscation by the state government.
A statement issued by Lubem Gena, Head of Media and Public Orientation in the Office of the Commissioner, said the government would collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies during the week to conduct further investigations and improve safety standards on Benue waterways.
“The government said further details would be made available, but at the moment, investigations and rescue efforts continue,” the statement added.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning when the passenger boat capsized while crossing the River Katsina-Ala.
While some of those on board were rescued, several others were still unaccounted for as rescue teams and local divers continued their search.
Benue govt suspends maritime workers’ union over boat mishap, orders skipper’s arrest