The Niger State Government has announced plans to sanction and prosecute boat operators who fail to enforce the mandatory use of life jackets.
Commissioner for Transport, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, disclosed this during a condolence visit to Guni in Munya Local Government Area, where she led a high-powered delegation to sympathise with families of victims of the recent boat mishap in Zumba.
She noted that the ministry had provided 150 life jackets to Guni boat operators prior to the incident and expressed dismay that the passengers who died in the tragedy had refused to wear them.
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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.
They assured of the governor’s commitment in saving lives and properties of the people but called for collaboration from all stakeholders in achieving that objective.
The families of the thirteen people who lost their lives in the mishap were availed N200,000, 50kg of rice and maize each while fifty additional life jackets were also given to the association of boat operators in the area.
