In a bid to reduce cases of boat mishaps among riverine communities in Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Wednesday distributed 20 motorized boats and 2,000 lifejackets for use by rural communities across the state.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony held in Dundaye village of Wamakko Local Government Area, Governor Aliyu said the initiative is aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of riverine dwellers who depend largely on water transportation for their daily activities.
“We were touched by the recent cases of boat mishaps recorded in some local government areas which claimed lives and destroyed property. I want to use this medium to warn captains of these boats to desist from overloading. Anyone found doing so will be dealt with accordingly,” the Governor cautioned.
He further directed the chairmen of the benefiting local government areas to ensure proper maintenance and security of the boats at all times, stressing that the huge investment must be protected.
The Governor also appealed to passengers to cooperate with boat captains by abiding by the rules and regulations governing the use of the boats so that the set objectives could be achieved.
Aliyu restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people of Sokoto State, irrespective of their location, and solicited for their continued support and prayers.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Aminu Liman Bodinga, commended the Governor for his sustained support to the agency, especially during emergencies. According to him, the government, through NEMA, had expended over N3 billion on the purchase of food and relief items distributed to displaced persons across the state.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, lauded the Governor for extending his transport intervention to waterways. He recalled the purchase and distribution of over 70 mass transit buses and taxis under the state’s mass transit programme, aimed at making transport fares cheaper and more affordable. He noted that the distribution of the boats would particularly enhance water transportation during the rainy season when some communities are usually cut off by floods.
On behalf of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Managing Director, Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, represented by Engineer Muhammad Bello, praised Governor Aliyu for procuring the 20 motorized boats and 2,000 lifejackets for riverine communities. He disclosed that Sokoto is the second state, after Lagos, to make such a procurement, and further commended the Governor’s support for federal establishments in the state, describing it as worthy of emulation.
Other speakers at the occasion included House Leader Bello Idris, representatives of NEMA, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Chairman of Wamakko Local Government, Umar Ahmed.
The Governor, alongside other dignitaries, later took a test ride on the boats.