Ilorin – Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to Patigi to commiserate with the families of those who died in a boat mishap which occurred in the night of Monday, June 12.
At least 106 persons, mostly from Patigi community, died in the mishap while 144 persons survived according to local authorities.
The victims were among 270 persons carried by the boat.
They were returning from a wedding ceremony when the boat in which they were travelling capsized and emptied them into River Niger.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), House of Assembly member for Patigi State Constituency , Hon. Muhammad Kareem, and Hon. Ahmed Adam Rufai.
AbdulRazaq first port of call was the palace of the Etsu Patigi,Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II.
From the palace, the governor joined by Emir visited the riverine communities that lost their loved ones 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,” AbdulRazaq told reporters on the sideline of his visit to Kpada and Duro, the headquarters of Ebu and Dzakan settlements whose residents died in the incident.
“Measures will be taken as we are having discussions with National 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 1,000 life jackets to support safe travels on water 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 travels 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.
“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 enforcement of safety codes on jetties, loading points, boats, canoes, barges, life vests, among others,” Abdulrazak said.(vitalnewsngr.com)
