The Taraba State Commissioner for Special Duties and Social Development, Saviour Noku, revealed the recovery of no less than 20 bodies from a tragic boat accident along the Mayo-Renewo-Karim Lamido waterway on October 28. Noku made this announcement during a visit to console the families of the victims in the Binneri community of Karim Lamido LGA.
Deputy Governor Aminu Alkali expressed condolences to the affected families and community, expressing deep sorrow over the incident and announcing a government ban on night journeys on waterways across the state to prevent a recurrence.
While blaming the incident on the barricades along the waterways by fishermen in attempts to catch fish, Alkali instructed that all barricades on the waterways be cleared within seven days.
“This sad development is unacceptable. This incident, we were told was caused by barricades on the waterways by fishermen.
“Government has, therefore, banned all night journeys on the waterways, and all the barricades on the waterways must be cleared within seven days.
“In addition, all passengers must put on life jackets before boarding boats in the state. And henceforth, manifest of passengers onboard boats must be taken before setting out,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that a boat carrying 104 passengers mostly women and children capsized in River Benue on October 28 while returning from the Mayo-Renewo fish market in Ardo-Kola LG to Binneri.
