RIP. This is sad
Never enter any boat/ship/yacht without a life jacket. If you take water transportation a lot, buy a personal life jacket. Most public water transportation life jackets are not properly maintained and they may fail when needed. Test your life jacket freeboard often.

Disturbing. Rip to the deceased.

Realdeals:
Too sad!
Swimming skill should be made important for all travellers by boat.
It is a skill I must have before attempting water transportation.

bros if river wan chop u..if u like be Michael Phelps you go go down....except God .....

They died serving God.

May their souls rest in peace Amen and on a second thought, this was highly avoidable.

When they couldn't meet up and were told that the program was already over, why did they still insist on going?

Secondly, travelling by water requires utmost care and caution, its obvious that the boat was too small convey them successfully yet they decided to proceed.

This is a lesson for us all. We should do things out of necessity and not for fun. We should have a good reason for every action or decision we take. And when the purpose is defeated, we should cancel.

You are going for a programme and its already over, why still insist on going? So sad.
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sotall:


How did God make religion easy and simple?

Events like these proves only one fact; God doesn't interfere in the affairs of men. He has made the natural laws and that's it. God doesn't care about religion for that is human invention.

Your position is adumbrated.

You seem to acknowledge the supremacy of God and the Fact He is the Creator. But then you attribute religion to human creation.
Kindly tell us how to approach and worship the Creator without a religious practice

sotall:


Oh! Mr analyst! How you pushed all the blames to the victims and forgot they were Christians and it was part of the responsibility of the God they have been worshipping to save them.

Is saving lives and protection from evil not part of the benefits of being a Christian again?

Events like this should make people like you go back and think if you are not being enslaved.

Oga, if you have nothing to say, keep quiet. God protects. The problem is when people fail to listen and are carried away by the things of the flesh, then they become victims.

Have you ever wondered what could have prompted one of them to call only to be told that the programme is over and that they shouldn't bother coming. That was God protecting them but no, disobedience had to creep in and stubbornness took over. People perish most times out of their own carelessness. God gave us the power to choose. He will direct us, but the choice is left for us to make.

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Anneka101:
I don't understand why the youths got drown in the river.

But this is not church activities since it's not baptism. I think they just went to have their own fun and the sudden incident happened.


May God comfort their families.


RIP!!

read article before commenting no,they will type nonsense

sapientia:
This is sad.

So sad.

Human error

But one will have to ask

Where was God?

God was/is in heaven and overseeing the things of the earth. Anymore questions?

illitrate:
Benue and bad news

Abeg who get that jacob zuma picture?

get lost RoosterDrinker, benue is better than urs...

illitrate:
Benue and bad news

Abeg who get that jacob zuma picture?

get lost RoosterDrinker, benue is better than urs...

Anneka101:
I don't understand why the youths got drown in the river.

But this is not church activities since it's not baptism. I think they just went to have their own fun and the sudden incident happened.


May God comfort their families.


RIP!!

Read, you can't read!

don't let me call you lazy yo....

sotall:


Oh! Mr analyst! How you pushed all the blames to the victims and forgot they were Christians and it was part of the responsibility of the God they have been worshipping to save them.

Is saving lives and protection from evil not part of the benefits of being a Christian again?

Events like this should make people like you go back and think if you are not being enslaved.

No one is forcing you to worship God, neither is God forcing himself on you. 'Choose this day whom thou would serve' -that was a choice on all men.

God has saved tons of men from death and misery. How have you acknowledged that? The fact that they died doesn't stop God from being God. The 12 apostles all got persecuted and all of them except John died gruesome death. I'm pretty sure if you were alive then, you'd question where God was.

For a believer to die is to rejoice, knowing that he died strong, holding firm his faith and will be rewarded for it with a life of holiness, purity and joy in heaven. Free from pains, turmoils and sadness that roams the earth unchecked. The destination is heaven, doesn't matter how you die. Plane crash, boat mishap, accident, sickness. If you don't die, you don't go to heaven.

Chai......


So sad!


May the Almighty God give the involved families the fortitude to bear the lost.

sotall:


Oh! Mr analyst! How you pushed all the blames to the victims and forgot they were Christians and it was part of the responsibility of the God they have been worshipping to save them.

Is saving lives and protection from evil not part of the benefits of being a Christian again?

Events like this should make people like you go back and think if you are not being enslaved.

It is painful to every reasonable person, that's a fact. However there were stronger reasons for them to cancel or reduce the number of those embarking on the trip.
One, the boat booked had left, and only a small one was available. This was a good enough reason to ask some to go home. Two, they got a call that the event was over! Over! What were they still going look for? Cancel the trip all together!

The kind of agonies left behind by some victims of totally avoidable tragedies is enough to hate them even in death. This was totally avoidable! GOD always offers escape signs and routes. You make your choice.

Olarewaju89:

What's funny in all these?

SirMichael1:
God was/is in heaven and overseeing the things of the earth. Anymore questions?

Are you God's mouthpiece?

Like the proverbial abiku child whose death and rebirth is a recurring sad decimal to its parents, the morbid event of Friday, July 3rd, 2020, is one too many mishaps on the Nigerian Waterways that has left tears, sorrow and blood in their wake. We commiserate with the families and colleagues of the departed and pray for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives in the mishap.

As always, the Executive Committee and entire membership of United Waterways Passengers Association (uwpa) rise in unison to condemn these largely avoidable incidences and hereby make a passionate call to all concerned stakeholders to brace up to their responsibilities in order to avert a repeat of the ugly event.

While we agree that accidents do happen, it is also very true that they do not just happen; people make them happen through actions or inaction. However, uwpa maintain that it is always best practice for all concerned to drive and maintain accident prevention.

In the midst of this, our Association is further embarrassed by the different press releases by both LASWA and NIWA who both regulate the waterways in the Lagos Area purporting that the ill fated boat departed illegally at 8.00pm. This is not true as the boat according to survivors account, departed at 6:30 from Laswa Jetty at Ebute Ero with attendant Laswa official stationed at the Jetty. Could the official not have been able to prevent the loading and departure at that point?
Also, it was claimed that rescue effort was immediate, this also was not true as calls made to the loading Jetty were all received with pathetic excuses of no rescue boats available at the jetty resulting in the distressed passengers resorting to calling random numbers for close to two hours before the first responders comprising local boat operators showed up.
We feel this position should be aligned in other to set the records straight.

The United Waterways Passengers Association (uwpa) is a registered body made up of people across various walks of life and located pan Nigeria who came together to present a common front in the promotion of safety and comfort of its members as they sail on Nigeria’s inland waterways. This coming together arose out of the increasing reliance by our members on water transportation due to the gridlock experienced on metropolitan Lagos roads. This shift towards water transportation have not escaped the eagle eyes of Lagos State Government, who in pursuit of a vibrant blue economy, committed resources to make room for a better water transport as part of the integrated multi modal transport blue print for Lagos.

However, water transportation is mainly operated by the informal sector fishermen turned transporters who deploy vast numbers of banana boats AKA Pako boats into the Lagos lagoon. Due to growth and potentials in the sector, we have also seen the entrants of a few organized corporate players with studier and more modern boats. We do not intend to mention names as we are not out to advertise any operator but rather to promote the welfare of our members. Our cardinal objectives as a body is to seek collaborative efforts of all concerned- passengers, operators, regulators, etc to ensure safe and comfortable passage based on right pricing at all times.

We are worried that needless accidents have become commonplace especially in the past five years. Prior to the incidence of last week, there was a time the airwaves were filled with news and gory pictures of death by the waterside. We are daily traumatized as we board boats, while our families and loved ones have their hearts in their mouths as they pray for safe journeys. The fear in public space is palpable even to the deaf. It is saddening that after each incidence, investigations always reveal that the immediate and remote causes are usually human errors- carefree attitudes of captains and other chain in the operator’s link.

Apart from these, the records are there that the underlisted factors contribute to the spike in incidence rate and causalities in recent times:
- Laxity on the part of regulators at federal and state level in enforcing extant regulations.
- Complicity of officials charged with enforcement and monitoring operations at the various jetties/ terminals
- Focus of regulators on commercials as a priority in place of service, enforcement and monitoring of extant regulations
- Substandard boats- a laughable contraption in a country of the 21st century
- Lack of navigational tools on the waterways
- Underwater wrecks that cause havocs by cracking boats while in motion
- Dilapidated and abandoned dredgers, some of which are partially submerged underwaters
- Dirt, debris and the menace of water hyacinths
- Etc
Countless lives have been lost in these avoidable accidents. We can no longer act like the Ostrich that buries its head in the sand, thinking all is well and safe with its body. We are by this medium crying out loud and clear to all concerned to take up arm and do the bit committed to their hands as a stakeholder and for governments at all levels to rise and save water transportation from imminent collapse.

We can no longer fold our arms and watch our colleagues, co-journeymen, family heads and breadwinners, father, mothers and vibrant youths lose their lives needlessly while in pursuit of their daily bread. TIME IS NOW.

With particular reference to the event of last Friday, we demand that the erring boat operator be brought to face the wrath of the law. The Captain of the boat should also be made to face the music because what he has done is as good as committing murder. In same vein, we are greatly interested in what becomes of LASWA officials at the loading jetty at Ebute Ero who decided to look the other way as the boat was not only overloaded, but acted in defiance of COVID-19 regulations that stipulates 12 passengers in this abnormal time.

The boat was recorded by survivors to have ferried 25 passengers including the captain and deckhand.
As a concerned stakeholder, we are directing government- federal and state- to focus on the following line of activities which we believe will be beneficial to water transportation not only in Lagos but the entire Nigeria:
- While we appreciate the efforts of Lagos State Government for the introduction of Lagferry, we would like the government to set up a revolving fund for local operators to access through their cooperative association to improve the standard and quality of their vessels overtime.

- It is obvious that the local operators understand the terrain and peculiarities of the business.
- The government could work out a scheme with established boat builders in Nigeria.
- Incentive and other tax holidays should be accorded operators in this sector so that they can grow and add verve to the blue economy.
- It is given that while the likes of Lagferry is a laudable project, the reality is that the government funded operator cannot meet the growing number of boats required to meet need of passengers and cargo transportation in Lagos and to deliver the Lagos State Water Transport dream.
- In addition to the above, we request that a digital platform be created wherein all departing boats will have entry in a database, noting the estimated time of departure and estimated time of arrivals. Any deviation above 5 minutes will be flagged and the captain followed up. This same process can also be used to stem the tide of over speeding.
- Stationed ambulance at major jetties in Lagos with experienced personnel
- Closely related to the above is the establishment of sickbay/mini Accident and Emergency units at the major jetties
- Patrol boats that will be true to its name of patrolling the waterways especially at the peak periods of mornings and evening time rush hours.
- Charting the waterways and equipping them with navigational tools
- All boats to have first aid box on board, functional GPRS and walkie talkie for captains
- Stiffer penalties for those that fouls the enacted laws and regulations, commencing with the culprits of the recent incidence to serve as a deterrent to others.
- There is need for a more visible Marine Police at the jetties. The LASWA coastguards are no longer respected at the jetties. Some have spent years at a particular jetty thus, they have forged friendship with operators and this affect their productivity.
- Drone monitoring services should be established and commence operations without delay. Their deployment should be effected at peak hours.
- We recommend the convening of a standing committee with representatives of all stakeholders that will hold sessions once every quarter to examine operations and advisory on way forward.
- We advocate for the institutionalisation of insurance scheme for passengers as well as operators. This should be made mandatory for all operators and passengers. For us at uwpa, we have an insurance package for our financial members and this has been on for some years. This can become an industry norm
- We also canvass for a united approach between the federal and state agencies for a better water transport system.


CONCLUSION
The United Waterways Passengers Association (uwpa) is committed to safety and comfort of our members on waterways pan Nigeria. We are non-partisan and prepared to partner with all relevant stakeholders in the sector. uwpa envision a vibrant water transport sector fully integrated with other modes of transportation and which affords comfort and safety for our members.
Thus far and in our years of existence, we have had cordial relationships with the likes of LASWA and NIWA and indeed other relevant stakeholders. While we seek deeper and more fruitful conversations in days ahead, we remain resolute in pursuit of our cardinal goal and we will drive it with all the strength and legal tools at our disposal. uwpa say a big NO to defective boats, untrained and uncertified operators, lifeless jackets, overloading and over speeding. Passengers lives matter

Habeeb
08028591063

.

myk2mic:


You can say that again, lost my eldest sister on Monday after a stupid guy robbed of her possessions (money and phone) without any form of resistance from her ,yet he proceeded to stab her . This life is just crazy

Rip ogechi , it wasn't meant to end this way

lost my youngest sibling this past week Wednesday. We buried her two days ago but believe me, her pain and void is immeasurable. It was an accident

illitrate:
Benue and bad news

Abeg who get that jacob zuma picture?

It's simply touching.you don't need to talk trash. Death is inevitable and comes in different forms regardless.. which one is Benue and bad news!
If you can't sympathize, keep shut.

sotall:


Why did you come to live on earth if you will abandon the reality of life of on earth for a non-evident heaven?

Good question. Now i'll take us back to the begining of creation. The creation of the earth. 'The earth was without form and void. So God spoke life into the earth and creation happened' and then he said, let US make man in our own image and likeness. Then made man he. After he did, he said that man should inhabit and fill the earth. Then Adam fathered Cain, Abel and Seth. Then continued doing God's biddings by filling the earth with their seeds. We are sent to the earth as prime creations to overwatch God's creation, multiply and give glory to God and which heaven will be our reward. So yes, we're on a pilgrimage passing through this earth and the destination is heaven.

Secondly, if you were so sure of going to heaven , why not go now?

in my prequel reply, i said the only way to go to heaven is through death. One must die before going. Now this breath that i breathe, this life that i live isn't mine. God gave it to me and i have no right as his creation to end it. God gives and he takes. I as human have built things that have fufilled its purpose for creation and so i recall them/it, how much God? So how do you suggest i go now? Hope you're following and understanding?

[s][quote author=SirMichael1 post=91606632]

Good question. Now i'll take us back to the begining of creation. The creation of the earth. 'The earth was without form and void. So God spoke life into the earth and creation happened' and then he said, let US make man in our own image and likeness. Then made man he. After he did, he said that man should inhabit and fill the earth. Then Adam fathered Cain, Abel and Seth. Then continued doing God's biddings by filling the earth with their seeds. We are sent to the earth as prime creations to overwatch God's creation, multiply and give glory to God and which heaven will be our reward. So yes, we're on a pilgrimage passing through this earth and the destination is heaven.





in my prequel reply, i said the only way to go to heaven is through death. One must die before going. Now this breath that i breathe, this life that i live isn't mine. God gave it to me and i have no right as his creation to end it. God gives and he takes. I as human have built things that have fufilled its purpose for creation and so i recall them/it, how much God? So how do you suggest i go now? Hope you're following

Carelessness killed these youth. RIP. So people who can't swim will just assume angel will guide them and not wear life jacket? A white man's church group can't go for such religious expedition without simple precaution like life jacket, but in Africa religion has told them to function without brain. What a waste.

Why would you run any boat service without life jackets?

sotall:
[s][/s]

Absolute trash! Quoting an ambiguous book of falsehood and fairytales.

Typical low IQ, low grade atheist. You ran out of retort and couldn't keep up a conversation (as is expected from an agonistic, self deluded person) going and decided to bow out cowardly. I didn't expect a conversation of wit, intelligence and wisdom from you but boy did you go below expectation. The bible isn't ambigious, if at a point you're lost, ask questions and clearify your doubts.


I follow the bible and live by its principleS. What do you follow, what guides you? You live your life on auto-pilot, jumping threads, looking to fault one's religion, when you'll just a confused soul searching for redemption. May God's mercy fall on you.

[quote author=SirMichael1 post=91607400]

Typical low IQ, low grade atheist. You ran out of retort and couldn't keep up a conversation (as is expected from an agonistic, self deluded person) going and decided to bow out cowardly. I didn't expect a conversation of wit, intelligence and wisdom from you but boy did you go below expectation. The bible isn't ambigious, if at a point you're lost, ask questions and clearify your doubts.


I follow the bible and live by its principleS. What do you follow, what guides you? You live your life on auto-pilot, jumping threads, looking to fault one's religion, when you'll just a confused soul searching for redemption. May God's mercy fall

illitrate:
Benue and bad news


Abeg who get that jacob zuma picture?

. E get wetin I bin wan tell U but as I come check your name, na im I just maintain my cool. Idiot.