Water Transportation Accidents: Sokoto Gifts 20 Motorized Boats To Riverine Communities

From Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor,  Ahmed Aliyu, has flagged off the distribution of 20 motorised boats for riverine communities, even as he appealed to them to avoid overloading. 

Flagging off the distribution at Kwalkwalawa River in Wamakko local government, the governor reassured of his commitment to addressing the recurrence of boataccidents, especially during the rainy season. 

Stating that the state has vast areas with a semi-arid landscape that requires water transportation especially during the rainy seasons, the governor added that he was committed to reducing incidences of boat mishaps. 

The 2024 Flood Disaster Response Committee in the state had recommended that the government should provide motorized boats, life jackets and other relief materials to the riverine communities in the state.

Stating that 10 riverine local governments would benefit from the gesture, the governor warned the captains of the boats and the chairmen of the benefiting local government against overloading, which he discribed as the main cause of frequent boat capsizing in waterways transportation.

The 10 benefiting local governments are Shagari, Silame, Wurno, Rabah, Isa, Sabon Birni and Goronyo. Kebbe, Tambuwal, and Wamakko. 

In a keynote address, Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, said the move was in continuation of the effort of the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration to improve the transport sector with extension to rural dwellers.

On his part, the Special Advisor, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Aminu Liman Bodinga, who disclosed that over N3 billion was expended on providing disaster relief materials in the state, added that the governor has taken steps towards averting further loss of lives to boat mishaps. 

Registering his satisfaction with the development, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by the Sarkin Adar Dundaye, Muhammad Bello Yakubu, as well as the representatives of NEMA, and the National Inland Waterways Authority jointly appreciate the governor for the procurement and his attention to other emergency management efforts.