The Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) has urged the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to implement long-term reforms in the marine transport sector to curb the recurring incidence of boat accidents in Nigeria.
In a condolence message to families affected by the recent boat accident in Ibaji Local Government Area, which claimed 36 lives, KONGONET chairperson Hamza Aliyu also called for immediate relief for the victims. He highlighted that riverine communities in Kogi State heavily rely on water transport for mobility and trade, making such tragedies particularly devastating.
“While accidents can occur, the frequency and severity of boat mishaps in Kogi State are no longer within acceptable limits. Survivors and families of victims deserve both immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term structural solutions,” Aliyu said.
KONGONET, the umbrella body of civil society organisations in Kogi State, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, noting that it has left survivors traumatised and families grieving. The group called on the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and relevant government bodies to provide urgent relief materials, psychosocial support, and medical care.
The organisation further recommended support for victims’ families through emergency grants and counselling, as well as the deployment of safety teams to monitor high-risk river crossings in Ibaji and other local government areas.
For the long term, KONGONET urged the Kogi State government to establish a Marine Transport Regulatory Framework in partnership with communities and civil society organisations to prevent future accidents.
