Boat mishap: Kwara Gov warns against travelling without life jackets
….as Governor donates N100m support to Kaima boat accident
The Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said, henceforth, there will be penalties for riverine residents who fail to use life jackets while embarking and disembarking from the boat, while calling on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to ensure that people who board boats must use life jackets.
The governor, while making this known on Thursday, during a visit to the Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Omar Mu’azu (Kiyaru IV), to commiserate with the Emir and the people of Kaiama, also announced a sum of N100 million in support to the victims of the recent boat mishap involving up to 200 people from Kaiama local government area of the state.
The Informant247 had earlier reported how no fewer than 150 persons were reported missing following a boat mishap in Gbajibo, Mokwa LGA of Niger State.
Meanwhile, a report also has it that the incident which occurred in Gwajibo village in Niger State, a neighbouring community, involved at least 200 people heading for a Maulid nabbiy celebration.
It was also reported that the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu led a powerful government delegation to commiserate with the people of Gbajigbo village over the unfortunate incident that claimed many lives.
The Speaker, who conveyed the heartfelt sympathies of the government at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, explained that the incident had left Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq saddened.
However, in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Governor AbdulRazaq also conveyed the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the monarch and the people of Kaiama, adding that a delegation of the President could not proceed to Kwara on Thursday because of the bad weather that prevented them from flying.
The statement reads, “We have come to again register our condolences over the sad incident. May Allaah forgive our compatriots who died in the mishap.”
“The government is supporting the people affected with the sums of N100m. We feel very sad. It is also important that no one who is embarking or disembarking from boat in Kwara is allowed to do so without a life jacket. Anyone who does so will have to face penalties. We also call on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to, as a matter of oversight, ensure that people who board boats must use life jackets.”
In his response, the Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Omar Mu’azu (Kiyaru IV), commended the Governor for his visit and for earlier sending a powerful delegation to the affected community, Gwajibo, led by the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu.
The Emir said while the incident was an act of God, as no soul can die without His knowledge, people need to respect safety rules such as using life jackets and avoiding overloading and night journeys.
He thanked the governor for the donation and his constant support for the people, including efforts to hire teachers from the grassroots.
