NIWA arrests boat company manager for safety violation in Lagos

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has arrested the manager of Only God Marine Limited in connection with a boat accident on October 7, 2024, near Imore, Lagos, which left multiple injuries and several people missing.

The arrest was made following NIWA’s investigation on the cause of the accident, which involved a fibre boat owned by Only God Ferry, that veered off course and collided with a wooden boat, resulting in injuries and several missing persons.

The NIWA stated this today after its detailed investigation uncovered that the fibre boat’s captain had obstructed vision due to the overloaded vessel, which caused the collision.

Additionally, the investigation revealed that Only God Ferry failed to adhere to critical operational safety standards and improper navigation procedures were a major factor in the accident.

As a result of these findings, NIWA arrested the manager of Only God Marine Limited for negligence and non-compliance with safety regulations.

NIWA stated that the arrest underscores the authority’s commitment to enforcing waterway safety and ensuring accountability among operators.

The authority also noted that the arrest is aimed at ensuring accountability and setting a precedent for strict adherence to waterways regulations to prevent future occurrences.

NIWA demanded that the management of Only God Marine Ltd produce the boat’s captain, who may face additional charges depending on the outcome of ongoing inquiries.

The authority noted that further legal actions are underway as the investigation continues.