The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has disclosed that the boat driver conveying the late popular Nollywood actor, John Paul Odowondo popularly known as Junior Pope, other actors and makeup artists that were involved in an accident that led to the death of the actor and four members of the movie crew at the Anam River in Anambra State
was not a certified operator, while the fibre boat he was driving was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority, (NIWA).

Releasing the Initial findings and safety recommendations on the fatal boat accident in Abuja on Friday May 24th, Alex Badeh Junior, the Director General of NSIB recommended that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) should ensure that all boats involved in commercial activities (goods and passengers) within the national inland waterways are registered, including ensuring adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced in the country’s inland waterways.

Mr Badeh Junior also recommended
Increased sensitization and enlightenment of boat operators on safe operations and
security along the Anam river and the nation’s inland waterways.

The NSIB DG called on NIWA to provide training to local fishermen and boat association members as rescue divers so as to provide prompt rescue in the event of an occurrence in the country’s inland waterways.

Badeh stated that the outboard engine fibre boat was carrying 12 passengers and one boat driver while there was only one person on the wooden fishing canoe.

He also stated that the rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver as he was not looking out as required, including the fact that the boat was on high speed and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed.

He said the only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast approaching boat jumped into the river and escaped while the boat collided with the canoe at a high speed which resulted in the boat
capsizing and all persons onboard were flung into Anam River.

The NSIB boss noted that five passengers on the boat were fatally injured while the remaining seven passengers and the
driver survived the crash.

The report observed that the only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket, that the only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator.

Badeh added that the passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors.

He said the boat was fitted with an outboard engine.

According to him, there was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat, While rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.