Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq arrived Kpada community in Patigi Local Government Area late Wednesday on a condolence visit to the community where about 106 people were killed in a boat mishap.
The governor with Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North) were received by Etsu Patigi Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, his chief and other community leaders.
Reports said no fewer than 144 people were rescued after the incident.
AbdulRazaq on Wednesday led a government delegation to Patigi to commiserate with families affected in the Monday night boat mishap, in which dozens have been confirmed dead.
The governor first met with the Etsu Patigi who then joined the Governor to visit the riverine communities affected in the accident.
“It is a sad event. We commiserate with our people in Patigi Emirate, including the Etsu Patigi Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II. We are deeply saddened by the event,” AbdulRazaq told reporters on the sideline of his visit to Kpada and Duro, the headquarters of Ebu and Dzakan settlements whose residents died in the incident.
“Measures will be taken as we are having discussions with Nigeria Inland Waterway Authority 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 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 governor said.
The government promised a legislation that imposes punishments and fines for violations of the safety protocol, according to a state government’s statement released after the visit.
“The government will also set up a body that oversees water transportation in the state. This body will complement the regulatory oversights of the National Inland Water Authority which has the statutory responsibility to enforce safety codes on jetties, loading points, boats, canoes, barges, life vests, among others” , said the governor.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, on Wednesday said investigation showed that the boat had conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony to Ebu Village and Dzakan Village, all within Patigi’s local government area when the incident occurred about 03:00 hours.
It disclosed that the casualties were people from Ebu village with 61 casualties, Dzakan village with 38, Kpada village with four and three other casualties from Kogi State, putting the total number of casualties at 106, adding that the total number of rescued people stands at about 144.
The statement reads: “The Commissioner of Police Kwara State, CP Paul Odama , immediately after receiving the information dispatched a team of policemen to join the policemen and other locals already on their way to locate the exact spot the boat accident happened to join in the rescue efforts”.
“On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed where water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing. All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about 106 people.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State, wishes, on behalf of the Kwara State Police Command, to commensurately share in the grief of the families of dead victims, praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace.
The Spokesperson added that the State’s Commissioner of Police further directed that the policemen on the rescue operation should continue in the effort while providing security for the rescued victims of the accident until they are fully recovered from the shock and trauma of the accident and handed over to their families.
