Boat mishap: Kwara Speaker leads govt’s delegation to Gbajigbo village, promises support to victims

Following a devastating boat accident, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly,  has led a powerful government delegation to condole with the people of Gbajigbo village over the unfortunate incident that claimed many lives.

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.

However, the Speaker, while conveying the heartfelt sympathies of the government at the palace of the Emir of Kaiama, his first port of call before proceeding to Gbajigbo, explained that the incident had left Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq saddened.

He said, “We are here on behalf of the Governor to register his heartfelt sadness over the unfortunate incident. As a compassionate leader, the Governor decided to send this powerful delegation to Kaiama to commiserate with the Emir, the victims, and the people of Gbajigbo as well as to obtain first-hand information about the boat mishap.”

“It is important to remind our people, especially the sea travellers, that wearing life jackets and adherence to other safety protocols are essential in preventing this kind of sad incident; I, therefore, implore the sea travellers in Gbajigbo and across the state, in general, to be making use of life jackets already provided by the government.”

“On behalf of the Governor and government of Kwara State, our hearts go out to the Emir of Kaiama, victims and families of the deceased, as well as the entire community; we pray to Almighty Allah to forgive the departed, grant them Aljanat Fridaos and give us all the strength needed in this trying time and beyond.”

While reacting, the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar Bagidi Kiyaru IV Emir of Kaiama, acknowledged the proactiveness of Governor AbdulRazaq moment over the incident while also appreciating the delegation for sympathising with the community over the ugly incident.

The Speaker, however, headed to Gbajigbo, where he visited the survivors of the mishap and the port of departure of the capsized boat in the company of Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Umar, the Ciroma of Kaiama Emirate and other community leaders.

The Speaker, earlier in Gbajigbo, paid homage to the village head, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman, and Interacted with the stakeholders in the community, where they commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his prompt response to the mishap and his fatherly disposition to the people of the community. They prayed for the Governor and the government of Kwara State.

At the interactive session with the stakeholders, the Speaker announced the cash donation of a sum of Two Million Naira for the medical bills of the survivors of the mishap and the family of the deceased, assuring that the government, through the State Emergency Management Agency, would also come to their aid. He also promised that the basic health centre and primary school in the community would soon be refurbished to enhance their effectiveness.

On the state delegation’s condolence visit to Gbajigbo were Hon. Saidu Baba; Bani/Adena/Gwanabe /Gweria, Hon. Abdullah Halidu Danbaba; Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe, Hon. Muhamma Baba Salihu; Òkúta/Yashikira, Hon. Abdullah Bata; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullah Danladi; the Executive Chairman, Kaiama Local Government, Hon. Isa Jibril; the Executive Chairman, Baruten Local Government, Alhaji Umar Danladi Shero; Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Sadiq Buhari; Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment among others.