By Innocent Orok
The Niger State government has vowed to commence sanctioning and prosecuting Boat operators who refused to adhere to the usage of life jackets.
The Commissioner of Transport, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta who led a high delegation to Guni in Munya Local Government Area to condole with the families of the victims of boat mishaps which occurred in Zumba recently made this known during the visit.
The Commissioner also revealed that her Ministry provided 150 life jackets to Guni boat operators before the incident and expressed her dismay as to why the passengers who lost their lives in the mishap refused to use them. She appealed to traditional leaders and especially the association of boat operators to ensure its usage as government will not take it lightly with anyone caught disobeying the rule.
In their separate condolence messages on behalf of the Governor, the Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Maurice Magaji and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mairo Mohammed Mann urged members of the community to accept the irreparable loss as a destiny, but stressed the need for the community leaders to ensure proper supervision of passengers wearing life jackets and the removal of undergrowth to prevent future occurrence.
The duo assured the community of Umaru Mohammed Bago’s commitment in saving lives and properties of the people, but call 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.
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