The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has asked regulatory agencies charged with the responsibilities of monitoring activities on the nation’s waterways to step up their oversight functions and enforcements to halt the recurring cases of boat accidents that have continued to claim many lives.
The forum also advised boat operators to avoid night travels, overloads, and adhere to all safety protocols at all times in the larger interest of everyone.
This was contained in a statement personally signed by the forum’s chairman and governor of Kwara state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq to commiserate with the people and government of Benue state on the death of 20 people in last weekend’s boat mishap in Agatu local government area.
The forum also commends the emergency responders for rescuing 11 of the travelers alive.
“We send our commiserations to His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of the state on the sad incident. We beseech God Almighty to repose the souls of those who died in the incident,” the forum says in a statement.
“Similarly, we again call on regulatory authorities to step up oversights and enforcements to prevent these recurring incidents, while urging citizens and boat operators to avoid night travels, overloads, and adhere to all safety protocols at all times in the larger interest of everyone,” it added.
