The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has said that the boat driver who drove the boat which capsized and led to the death the famous Nollywood actor, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, and other actors and crew members, was not certified.
The Bureau made the revelation in its preliminary report released on Friday during a press briefing which coincided with the release of four other final and preliminary reports by the agency.
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During the briefing, the Director General of NSIB, Alex Badeh, presented two final reports on aviation incidents, one preliminary report on an aviation incident, and a preliminary report on a marine accident, accompanied by 20 safety recommendations.
Recall that the boat which conveyed 12 actors and crew members including Junior Pope returning to Asaba, Delta State from a movie scene in Anambra axis crashed and capsized on April 10, leading to the death of the Nollywood star and four others.
According to Badeh, who presented the preliminary report and other findings during the briefing, the speedboat capsized, throwing all occupants into the Anam River, adding that five passengers were fatally injured, while seven were rescued alive.
The report noted that the NSIB was not officially notified but learned about the accident through social media, however, investigators from NSIB’s Enugu Regional office were dispatched to the accident site on April 12, 2024.
The Bureau stated that its initial findings revealed that the boat driver was not certified, adding that the fibre boat was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority, and that the outboard engine fibre boat was carrying 12 passengers and one boat driver.
This rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver and he was not looking out as required.
“The boat was at high speed and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed.
“The only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast approaching boat jumped into the river and escaped; 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 report further indicated that although five passengers aboard the boat sustained fatal injuries, the driver and seven other passengers survived the collision.
Badeh said, “Only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator.
“The passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors. The boat was fitted with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat. The rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”
The NSIB in its safety recommendations urged the National Inland Waterways Authority to ensure that all boats involved in commercial activities within the national inland waterways are registered, adding the authority must ensure adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced in our inland waterways.
Boat Driver Transporting Late Junior Pope Not Certified- NSIB
