AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led Kwara State Government on Tuesday presented boats and life jackets to the residents of Patigi and Lafiagi in Patigi and Edu local government areas of the state.
According to reports, this is coming nine months after no fewer than 107 persons were killed in a boat mishap while returning from a wedding ceremony in neighbouring Kogi State in June last year.
The governor, in response to the incident, pledged to collaborate with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to standardise water transportation in the state.
Shehu Ndanusa Usman, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, while speaking during the presentation, noted that the donation was made on the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, adding that the boats and life jackets were for the entire communities of Patigi and Lafiagi to facilitate safe water travel, especially as the rainy season approaches.
Ndanusa also said the gesture would significantly reduce boat mishaps in riverine areas and enhance the state’s disaster management efforts while urging all beneficiaries to strictly adhere to safety rules and regulations when using the boats to prevent accidents.