The National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) says 29 travellers have lost their lives this year in boat accidents on the Malale Waterfronts in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The NIWA Managing Director, Dr. George Moghalu, made the disclosure during the commissioning of PB Port Harcourt Fibre Patrol, Surveillance Boat at the Malale Waterfronts on Thursday.
Moghalu said the figure was lesser than over 100 victims recorded in the area in 2021.
The MD, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Captain Abdulkadir Abu, said the reduction in the boat mishaps was a result of cutting tree stocks in the river.
Moghalu urged water users to avoid night journeys and desist from boarding without life jackets.
On his part, the Area Manager of NIWA, Niger and Kwara states, Akapo Adeboye, said another reason behind the reduction of the accidents was the sensitisation exercises carried out by NIWA in the area.
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He noted that in order to prevent accidents, the authority has made it mandatory for all waterways users and operators to properly registered with NIWA
“Two persons will serve in the surveillance and safety agents from the five communities of Malale, Lokomene, Shagunu, Garafini and Duggar who will be monitored and supervised by NIWA and HYPPADEC to ensure its effectiveness,” Adeboye said.
The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Transport, Zakari Mohammed, decried the constant loss of lives on the waterfronts in the state.
“Niger State Government will continue to ensure continuous partnership to bring succour to communities in the state. We pray with the launching of this surveillance boat, it will stop boat mishaps on our waterways,” the governor said.
Commissioning the boat, the Emir of Borgu, Mohammed Sani Dantoro, who was represented by the Wazirn Borgu, Sa’ad Abdulkareem, commended the authority for the gesture, while assuring that the boat would for the benefit of the communities.
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