News Editor
By Olu Balogun
Disturbed by the incessant boat mishaps in the country, the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has called for more robust legislation and stricter regulations of the country`s inland waterways.
Reacting to the recent death of 60 people in mishap on the Kainji River in Niger State, through a statement issued on Thursday, she said the “recurrent boat mishaps in Nigeria – particularly in Niger State, where such tragedies have become very frequent – demand immediate and decisive action.”
“It is with a heavy heart that I received the tragic news of the recent boat mishap in Niger State, where initial reports put the death toll at about 29, but has now, regrettably, risen to nearly 60 lives lost.
“This is one tragedy too many, and the frequency with which we record such mishaps on our inland waterways should be a matter of grave concern to all Nigerians.
“According to the information at my disposal, the incident occurred at the Malale riverfront in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The ill-fated boat, carrying about 90 passengers, departed Tugan Sule in Shagunu Ward, Borgu LGA, enroute to Dugga for a condolence visit when the tragedy struck.
“It is deeply unfortunate and heart-wrenching that people on a journey to sympathize with others became victims of a calamity themselves,” she stated.
Usman, therefore, called on the relevant authorities to “urgently consider more robust legislation and stricter regulation of our inland waterways.”
“On behalf of the entire Labour Party family, I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the government and people of Niger State, and indeed all Nigerians, on this national tragedy,” the interim chairman sympathised.
