SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Provisional Committee for the Establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has commiserated with the Government and people of Benue State over the boat accident on River Katsina-Ala.
The accident occurred at Buruku Crossing on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, with several passengers feared dead while others were rescued.
The Committee, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, called for a shift from reactive to preventive maritime safety measures.
Kiyaramo issued the statement on behalf of the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the PC-NCG, Capt. Noah Omonu Ichaba.
The Committee said the tragedy underscored the need for stronger enforcement of safety regulations on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
It said a statutorily empowered Coast Guard would provide an additional layer of civil maritime governance and enforcement, particularly through preventive safety checks before vessels embark.
“We mourn those who lost their lives, commiserate with the injured and rescued, and stand in solidarity with the affected communities,” the statement said.
The Committee also commended local divers, community volunteers and emergency responders who participated in search-and-rescue efforts following the incident.
It said the incident should prompt sober reflection rather than blame, noting that every life lost on Nigeria’s inland and coastal waters was a reminder of the need for effective maritime safety enforcement.
“While competent authorities must determine the precise cause of the incident, emerging reports raise serious concerns about passenger control, vessel overloading, safety equipment, manifesting, operator competence and enforcement of maritime safety regulations,” it said.
The PC-NCG stressed that the proposed Coast Guard should not be presented as a guarantee against boat accidents.
“No responsible maritime institution can make such a guarantee,” it said, adding that the Coast Guard would instead provide a vital layer of civil maritime governance and law enforcement.
According to the Committee, basic safety requirements such as passenger manifests, approved carrying capacity, life jackets, vessel seaworthiness, registration, licensing and operator certification must be enforced before passengers board.
It also called for strict sanctions against overloading and unsafe operations, stressing that passengers should not have to rely on chance when using water transport.
“There must be a clearly identifiable statutory authority with the legal mandate, personnel, presence and equipment to inspect, educate, regulate and, where necessary, halt unsafe operations before they become disasters,” the statement said.
The Committee said the Katsina-Ala tragedy should compel Nigeria to strengthen its maritime safety architecture by clearly defining institutional responsibilities and improving coordination among relevant agencies.
It called for a transparent and evidence-based investigation into the accident, including the condition and capacity of the vessel, number of passengers, manifesting, availability and use of life-saving appliances, operator competence and regulatory compliance.
The PC-NCG also urged authorities to address any regulatory, operational or institutional lapses identified by the investigation and intensify safety education for boat operators, passengers and riverine communities.
It further called for regular equipping and testing of emergency response systems to ensure timely intervention during maritime emergencies.
The Committee urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, relevant maritime and inland waterway authorities, state governments and riverine communities to treat maritime safety as a national priority.
It said the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard should be considered within a coordinated national framework to strengthen safety enforcement, surveillance, search and rescue, environmental protection and maritime law enforcement in collaboration with existing agencies.
“Nigeria does not need another institution for its own sake. Nigeria needs clarity of responsibility, effectiveness of coordination and enforceability of accountability,” the Committee said.
It prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims, speedy recovery for the injured and comfort for the bereaved families and the people and Government of Benue State.
“No Blue Economy Without Blue Secu
rity and Blue Justice.”
Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively.
He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.
He began his journalism career in The Republic Newspaper, Lagos in 1987 as a Special Correspondent in Benin City, Edo State.
In 1990, he was posted from Lagos to old Anambra State as a State Correspondent in Enugu.
In 1994, he joined the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Ibadan, Oyo State, Publisher of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers where he rose to the rank of Southeast Bureau Chief.
Retiring from the mainstream traditional media in 2019, he began another journey in online newspaper publication.
He was the Overall Best Reporter in 2015, an award bestowed on him by Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State.
He has attended several workshops/seminars organised by multi-nationals, government institutions, local and international media including BBC.
He is also a unionist and had held top positions as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists of Enugu Correspondents’ Chapel and State Council of NUJ, respectively. He was also a one-time Enugu State Secretary of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
