The Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) says they are saddened by the boat accident which occurred at the Pategi Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The National President of WABOTAN, Mr Babatope Fajemirokun, in a statement on Friday in Lagos said that it was unfortunate that over 100 people lost their lives.
“Our hearts go out to the affected families, the government and good people of Kwara State over this painful incident,” he said.
Fajemirokun said the association would remain committed to transforming the water transport sector by ensuring strict adherence to safety and security measures to forestall accidents.
“This has formed part of our core objectives which is, training and retraining of boat captains and deck hands, to build capacity and ensure safety and security on our waterways. This training, which we usually do in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, has contributed to Lagos State recording immense improvement on safety on her waterways.
“The association’s next capacity building and safety training programme will come up in November in Lagos,” he said.
He disclosed that the association would extend the training to Kwara State and other states across the country where water transportation had been embraced as a means of moving people and goods from one place to another.
(NAN)