Worried by the rising incidents of boat mishaps, the Niger State government has vowed to commence sanctioning and prosecution of boat operators for failing to wear life jackets.
The state government gave the threat when a delegation visited Guni in Munya Local Government area to condole with the families of the victims of boat mishap which occurred in Zumba recently.
Hadiza Idris Kuta, commissioner of transport who doubles as leader of the delegation, said her ministry provided 150 life jackets to Guni boat operators before the incident.
Kuta expressed dismay as to why passengers who lost their lives in the mishap were not using life jackets.
She appealed to traditional leaders and the association of boat operators to ensure the usage of life jackets during boat rides, adding that the government will not take it lightly with anyone caught disobeying the rule.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Maurice Magaji, commissioner of Lands and Survey and Mairo Mohammed Mann, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, stressed the need for the community leaders to ensure proper supervision of passengers wearing life jackets to prevent future occurrence.
The duo assured of Umaru Mohammed Bago’s commitment in saving lives and properties of the people and called for collaboration from all stakeholders in achieving that objective.
The families of the thirteen people who lost their lives in the mishap were given N200,000, 50kg of rice and maize each while 50 additional life jackets were also given to the association of boat operators in the area.
In another development, Aminu Najume, chairman of Munya Local Government Area in Niger State, called on residents of riverine communities to strictly adhere to water transportation safety measures to curb recurring boat accidents in the state.
Najume said that the council has been sensitising residents on the dangers of night travel, overloading, and failure to wear life jackets while on boat ride.
He disclosed that while many have complied with safety guidelines on the inland waterways, others remain negligent, a situation he said was responsible for recent tragedy in the state.
Citing a recent boat mishap in the area as an example, Najume explained that passengers who wore life jackets were rescued, while those without them lost their lives.
To address the challenge, he emphasised the need for enforcement, sustained sensitisation, and improved water transport infrastructure even as he appealed to the Niger State Government to intensify safety measures in riverine areas.
