The Kogi State House of Assembly has appealed to the state government to develop and implement a comprehensive waterways safety framework following the tragic boat mishap that claimed 28 lives in Onugwa, Ibaji Local Government Area, on September 30, 2025.
The appeal was contained in a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Deputy Speaker and Member representing Ibaji Constituency, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Egwaba, during Tuesday’s plenary in Lokoja.
Hon. Egwaba described the incident, which occurred on the River Niger, as “a matter of utmost urgency and grave concern,” lamenting the loss of women, children, and traders who were on their way to Illushi Market in Edo State for economic activities vital to their livelihoods.
She noted that the ill-fated boat was carrying over 80 passengers, out of which 28 lost their lives, 44 were rescued, while several others remain missing.
The lawmaker expressed worry that such boat accidents are becoming recurrent in Ibaji and other riverine areas due to poor regulation, absence of safety measures, lack of life jackets, overloading, and the poor state of boats and jetties.
“The continued neglect of riverine infrastructure and safety protocols poses an existential threat to our people.”Government must act decisively to protect lives and improve water transport safety.”
The Deputy Speaker commended local volunteers, community leaders, and emergency responders for their prompt rescue efforts but stressed that more coordinated and preventive measures were urgently needed.
She appealed to the State Government, through the Ministries of Transport and Health in collaboration with SEMA, HYPPADEC, and other agencies, to provide immediate relief to affected families.
The lawmaker highlighted the development of a waterways safety framework to include; provision of standard life jackets, regular inspection and registration of boat operators, enforcement of passenger limits and safety rules, construction and rehabilitation of jetties and the establishment of rapid response units for waterways safety.
While calling on the house to mandate it’s Committee on Transport to assess the state of water transport facilities in riverine areas and report back with actionable recommendations, Hon. Egwaba, appealed to development partners, donor agencies, HYPPADEC, and Federal Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to support the state’s efforts in enhancing water transport safety.
The motion received wide support from members, with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, commending Hon. Egwaba for her timely intervention and assured that the Assembly would continue to support initiatives that promote the safety and wellbeing of all citizens.
KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MOTION OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
MOTION ON THE TRAGIC BOAT MISHAP AT ONUGWA IN IBAJI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ON THE 30 SEPTEMBER, 2025 AND THE URGENT NEED FOR THE KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE RELIEF AND SAFEGUARD WATERWAYS ACROSS RIVERINE COMMUNITIES
The Rt. Hon. Speaker, and my distinguished Honourable colleagues;
| bring to your attention, a matter of utmost urgency and gravity; with deep sorrow and regret the tragic boat mishap that occurred on the 30th of September, 2025 on the River Niger in Onugwa, a riverine. community in Ibaji Local Government Area, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of 28 lives, 44 saved/rescued and the disappearance of others still unaccounted for.
The ill-fated boat was reportedly carrying over 80 passengers, including children, women, and traders who were traveling across the River Niger to llushi Market in Edo State for economic and social activities vital to their livelihoods;
Concerned that such incidents are becoming recurrent in Ibaji and other riverine parts of the State due to the absence of proper regulation, inadequate safety measures, non-enforcement of capacity limits, lack of life jackets, and the poor condition of boats and jetties;
| Recognize the critical importance of water transportation in riverine LGAs like lbaji, Bassa, Lokoja, Koton-karfe, and others, where waterways serve as the primary means of movement and commerce for thousands of residents;
Worried that the continued neglect of riverine infrastructure and safety protocols poses an existential threat to the wellbeing of the people and undermines efforts ~ to promote inclusive governance and development across all parts of the State;
I Appreciate the prompt response of Local emergency volunteer, community leaders, and some government agencies in the rescue and recovery efforts, but notes that more coordinated and preventive action is urgently required.
The people of Ibaji L.G.A will greatly appreciate immediate actions to address the ugly incident and demonstrating the state’s commitment to protecting lives of citizens.
PRAYERS
1. Commiserate with the families of the victims of the Onugwa boat mishap and observe a minute of silence in honour of the departed soul
2. Urge the Kogi State Government, through the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health in partnership with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (HYPPADEC) and other relevant agencies; to immediately come to the aid of the victims and the families of the deceased.
3. Call on the Kogi State Government to develop and implement a waterways safety framework, which shall include:
* Provision of standard life jackets to boat operators and passengers;
* Regular inspection and registration of boat operators and passengers; —
* Enforcement of passenger limits and safety regulations;
* The state government should establish a task force to monitor water safety and enforcement.
* Construction and rehabilitation of modern jetties and waiting bays;
* Establishment of waterways monitoring and rapid response units;
4. Mandate the House Committee on Transport to liaise with relevant MDAs and local authorities in Ibaji and other riverine LGAs to conduct an assessment of water transportation infrastructures and safety conditions and report back with actionable recommendations; also direct all the Local Government authorities in the riverine communities to have a public awareness Campaign on water safety and the importance of adhering to safety regulations (To be conducted on a regular basis).
Appeal to development partners, donor agencies, HYPPADEC and the Federal Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to support Ibaji LGA and the State in enhancing river transport safety and infrastructure in Kogi State
6. Call on traditional rulers, community leaders and boat unions in riverine areas to sensitize their people on water safety practices and cooperate with government efforts to ensure safer waterway transportation.
in conclusion: Rt. Hon. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues,
The loss of innocent lives in the Onugwa Ibaji boat mishap is a wake-up call. The safety and dignity of our riverine citizens must be prioritized.
I urge this Honourable House to support this motion and adopt its prayers to prevent a recurrence, to safeguard lives and welfare of citizens and to ensure that no part of Kogi State is left behind in infrastructure and safety development.
I iso move.
Dated today, the 7 day of October, 2025.
Hon. Comfort Ojoma Egwaba,
Member Representing Ibaji Constituency Kogi State House of Assembly