NIWA BLAMES HUMAN ERROR FOR JUNIOR POPE’S DEATH, RULES OUT MECHANICAL FAILURE
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has stated that the 2024 boat accident on the Anam River in Anambra State, which claimed the lives of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and four others, was caused by human error rather than mechanical failure.
NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, revealed this during a multi-modal transportation stakeholders’ forum held in Abuja on Thursday.
He explained that some passengers on board had refused to wear the life jackets provided to them before the fatal incident occurred.
“It wasn’t caused by mechanical failure, water obstacles, or weather conditions, but rather a blatant disregard for the rules and regulations governing movement on inland waterways,” Oyebamiji stated.
Referring to the incident, he noted that such passenger actions undermine NIWA’s efforts to ensure maximum safety on the waterways. He further urged all water users to support the agency in promoting safety awareness nationwide.
The event was also graced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau; the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency; and the CEO of Air Peace Limited, Allen Onyema, among others.
Junior Pope was one of the victims who drowned in April 2024 while returning from the set of the movie Another Side of Life, produced by Adanma. The boat capsized near Cable Point along the River Niger waterfront in Asaba, Delta State.
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