The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed his condolences to the families affected by a tragic boat accident that occurred in Niger State on Tuesday.
Authorities have reported the recovery of around 60 bodies following the capsizing of a boat at the Gbajibo River in the Mokwa Local Government Area, which was carrying over 300 passengers.
In a statement released on Friday, Abbas conveyed his sorrow regarding the incident and offered his sympathies to the families of the deceased, as well as to the people and government of Niger State. He emphasized his heartfelt condolences to Governor Mohammed Bago during this difficult time.
Abbas called for improved safety measures for water transportation across the nation, urging relevant agencies to enforce stringent safety standards for maritime and inland waterways.
In addition to the boating tragedy, the Speaker voiced concerns about the significant flooding in Mokwa LGA, which has impacted over 300 communities and displaced many residents from their homes and agricultural lands. He highlighted the severe socio-economic repercussions of the flood on local communities and urged government emergency and humanitarian agencies to provide essential relief materials to assist affected victims and mitigate the disaster’s impact.
