Boat mishap: Kwara moves to improve water travels, delivers 1,000 life jackets

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of Kwara, says 1,000 life jackets will be deployed to improve the safety of water transportation in the state.

In a statement on Wednesday, Abdulrazaq said the government will set up a body that will manage water transportation.

Over 100 wedding guests lost their lives after a boat conveying them capsized in Egbu village in Patigi LGA of the state on Tuesday morning.

Local authorities confirmed 106 persons dead, while 144 others survived the mishap.

The governor, alongside Umar Bologi, etsu of Patigi, on Wednesday, visited the location of the incident and the communities affected.

“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,” the statement reads.

“Measures will be taken as we are having discussions with Nigeria Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) on the 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 travels on the 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 enforce safety codes on jetties, loading points, boats, canoes, barges, life vests, among others.”