Reps speaker mourns Niger boat accident victims
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a boat accident in Niger State on Tuesday.
Around 60 bodies have reportedly been recovered after the boat capsized on Tuesday night at the Gbajibo River in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State. The boat was said to be carrying over 300 passengers.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, on Friday, the Speaker expressed sadness over the accident and commiserated with the families of the deceased, as well as the people and government of Niger State.
He particularly sympathised with Governor Mohammed Bago over the tragic incident.
While calling for safer water transportation for people and goods across the country, Abbas urged the agencies responsible for maritime and inland waterways to enforce safety standards.
The Speaker also expressed concern over the natural disaster in Mokwa LGA, where over 300 communities have been flooded, displacing many people from their homes and farms.
He noted that the flood has had serious socio-economic consequences for the people, the state, and the nation at large. He called for concerted efforts by all relevant emergency and humanitarian agencies of the government to provide relief materials to the victims, to help alleviate the impact of the disaster.
