Kwara Governor, Abdulrazaq Pledge 1000 Life Jackets To Support Boat Travellers

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday, pledged to deliver 1000 life jackets to support safe travels on water in Patigi local government area of the state.

Speaking with journalists after his sympathy visit to the people of

Kpada and Duro, the headquarters of Ebu and Dzakan settlements whose residents died in the fatal boat mishap incident, the governor

Said, “measures will be taken as we are having discussions with Nigeria Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) on enforcement of safety codes.

“We will also be sending a team to Lagos State on how their waterways law works.

“Our immediate step is to deliver at least 1000 life jackets to support safe travels on water in the area.

“In addition to whatever safety measures that are in place, the government will design and roll out some statewide standard operating procedures (SOPs) for water travels to cover issues of boat serviceability, speed limits, loading limits and wearing of life jackets by all passengers. This will be the new irreducible minimum.

“The government will also send to the parliament a proposed legislation that imposes punishments and fines for violations of the safety protocol”. AbdulRazaq added.

For their part, the North Central Governors’ Forum yesterday expressed grief over the death of over 100 wedding guests following the accident.

The Chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum, Abdullahi Sule, expressed grief in release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra.

Sule, who is the governor of Nasarawa State, therefore, said the North Central Governors were deeply shaken by the tragedy, ironically at a time of a wedding celebration.

The regional governors’ chairman, on behalf of other governors of the North Central States and the people of the region, condoled the government and people of Kwara State and the family of the deceased.

Sule said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the people of Kwara State at this period.

“We pray that God will grant the departed eternal rest and their families the fortitude to bear the loss.”