Boat Mishap: Gov AbdulRazaq Announces Donation Of 1,000 Life Jackets During Condolence Visit To Patigi …Govt To Introduce New Safety Guidelines
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state on Wednesday led a government delegation to Patigi to commiserate with the families affected in the Monday night boat mishap that had left dozens of people dead.
At least 106 persons, mostly from Patigi communities, have been confirmed dead while 144 survived in the accident, according to local authorities.
Accompanied by Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), a member of the House of Assembly representing Patigi State Constituency, Hon. Muhammad Kareem, and Hon. Ahmed Adam Rufai, AbdulRazaq first headed to the palace of the Etsu Patigi while the entire concourse later left for the riverine communities that were affected in the accident.
‘It is a sad event. We commiserate with our people in Patigi Emirate, including the Etsu Patigi Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II. We are deeply saddened by the event’ a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by the governor’s spokesman, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye quoted him to have told reporters during his visit to Kpada and Duro, the headquarters of Ebu and Dzakan settlements that had co- residents as victims.
‘Measures will be taken as we are having discussions with the Nigeria Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) on enforcement of safety codes. We will also be sending a team to Lagos state on how their waterways law works.
Our immediate step is to deliver at least 1000 life jackets to support safe water travel in the area.
In addition to whatever safety measures that are in place, the government will design and roll out some statewide standard operating procedures (SOPs) for water travel to cover issues of boat serviceability, speed limits, loading limits and wearing of life jackets by all passengers. This will be the new irreducible minimum.
The government will also send to the parliament a proposed legislation that imposes punishments and fines for violations of the safety protocol’ AbdulRazaq added.
‘The government will also set up a body that oversees water transportation in the state. This body will complement the regulatory oversights of the National Inland Water Authority (NIWA) which has the statutory responsibility to enforce safety codes on jetties, loading points, boats, canoes, barges, life vests, among others’ the governor also submitted-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
