Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has called for increased inter-agency collaboration to prevent further accidents on the nation’s waterways.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Isah, Governor Ododo expressed his condolences to the victims of a recent boat accident that claimed the lives of several Kogi State indigenes.
The governor, deeply saddened by the incident, voiced particular concern that many of the victims were women, petty traders, and artisans, who were engaged in legitimate business activities to support their families and contribute to the state’s economy.
Ododo highlighted the growing danger of the waterway linking Kogi and Niger states, which has been plagued by frequent boat accidents. “The waterway linking Kogi and Niger State is becoming increasingly hazardous due to the recurring boat accidents,” he said.
The governor called on relevant authorities to take swift action and implement safety measures aimed at minimizing the risks associated with water transportation across the country.
While commending the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its swift response in the search and rescue operations, Ododo stressed the need for concerted efforts through inter-agency collaboration to prevent further accidents and improve emergency response coordination. “Efforts should be made through inter-agency collaboration to prevent further accidents and coordinate emergency response,” he said.
Ododo also extended his sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident and assured the injured that the state government would provide support for their recovery.
According to a report by PUNCH Online, the National Inland Waterways Authority confirmed on Friday that some traders on their way to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State were killed, while others sustained injuries when the boat they were traveling on capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.
