Saraki Sympathize With Kwara Boat Mishap Victims, Call For Immediate Investigation

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday, called on Kwara State government to commence immediate investigation into the fatal boat mishap.

Also yesterday, the management of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) dispatched a team of experts from its Kwara State office to the scene to assist in search operations.

Saraki in a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday, signed by his Press Officer, Local Affairs, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, described the fatal boat mishap as unfortunate and a great loss to the affected families, communities, and the State at large.

Saraki, a former governor of the state however sympathised with the Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, the family of the victims, and the good people of Patigi and the State over the accident.

He said, “I deeply empathise and sympathise with the royal father, the good people of Patigi, and the families of victims of the boat mishap.”

He called on the government to conduct a proper investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the mishap with a view to putting in place measures to prevent a recurrence.

He urged the families of the victims to take solace in the fact that death was an inevitable end for all mortals.

Saraki prayed to God Almighty to grant the deceased eternal rest and give the families and the entire Patigi community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director, HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, said the Commission had already dispatched a team of experts from its Kwara State office to the scene to assist in search operations.

He said the agency was awaiting a comprehensive report on the mishap to guide it on the next line of action to be taken to contain future occurrence of the ugly incidence.

In a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday, he described as tragic, the boat mishap.

He added, “Accordingly, the Commission has already dispatched a team of experts from Kwara state office to the scene to assist in search operations while it awaits a comprehensive report on the mishap to be guided on the next line of action to be taken to contain future occurrence of the ugly incidence.”

The immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also expressed sympathy with the victims of the boat accident.

Mohammed, described the fatal boat mishap as unfortunate.

The former minister in a statement issued and signed personally, yesterday, sympathised with the state government and victims of the accident.

He also condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.

He added: “This is tragic and very unfortunate. I am very saddened by the loss of many lives. May God rest their souls.

“I pray to almighty Allah to rest the souls of the victims and I hope that rescue efforts would find some survivors.”