ATIKU GRIEVES 29 LIVES LOST IN NIGER BOAT MISHAP
Read Time:2 Minute, 19 Second
BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has conveyed his sorrow regarding the boating incident in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, which has reportedly resulted in a minimum of 29 fatalities.
The calamity transpired in the Gausawa community, Malale Ward, Niger State, on Monday, when a wooden vessel carrying approximately 90 passengers capsized after striking a tree stump. Overloading has been suggested as a potential factor contributing to the tragedy. Among the casualties were women and children.
In a message of condolence shared on X on Thursday, Atiku characterized the incident as “a somber reminder of the pressing necessity to enhance safety measures on our waterways. ”
“Reports indicate that the vessel, which was transporting nearly 90 individuals, including women and children, collided with a tree stump, with overloading cited as a potential cause of the incident. This unfortunate occurrence underscores the persistent dangers associated with water transportation in our riverine communities,” he articulated.
READ MORE:
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, remarked that boat travel had become an essential mode of transportation for numerous Nigerians, especially in riverine states, but cautioned that the absence of proper infrastructure and the enforcement of safety regulations continue to jeopardize lives.
“Overloading must be discouraged, capacities strictly adhered to, and the provision of life jackets made mandatory. The cost of safety is significantly less than the price of lives lost in avoidable tragedies,” he emphasized.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the Gausawa community, and the government of Niger State.
“My deepest sympathies go to the families of the deceased, the Gausawa community, and the government and citizens of Niger State. May the Almighty provide solace to the grieving and eternal peace to those who perished,” he stated.
Boating accidents remain prevalent throughout Nigeria’s inland waterways, where inadequate regulation, absence of safety equipment, nighttime travel, and overcrowding have resulted in frequent mass casualties.
In September 2023, at least 26 individuals lost their lives in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State when an overloaded vessel capsized. Similar incidents have been reported in Kebbi, Kwara, Anambra, and Lagos states in recent years.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency announced that rescue operations are ongoing in Gausawa, with several passengers still unaccounted for. Local divers and community volunteers have joined in the search efforts.
The latest tragedy has rekindled demands for stricter enforcement of safety regulations on waterways, particularly as economic difficulties compel more rural communities to depend on makeshift vessels for trade and transportation. Atiku’s intervention amplifies the mounting pressure on authorities to invest in water transport infrastructure, enhance monitoring, and supply life-saving equipment to avert future disasters.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0