Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has expressed grieve over Monday’s boat accident in Kwara State, which claimed the lives of more than 100 people.
Diri expressed sympathy to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the state government, the relatives of the victims, and the people of Kwara State, describing the incident as tragic and regrettable.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the governor noted that the tragedy served as a somber reminder of similar tragedies that have occurred in riverine locations, notably in Bayelsa and other coastal states throughout the nation.
He said that if the Federal Government, which is in control of the waterways. Took decisive action to prioritize safety on the nation’s rivers, and occurrences resulting in fatalities would be reduced.
He encouraged the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive safety strategy. That covers not just the air, roads, and waterways, but also all three.
Diri said that such regulations would require the operators of river transportation. In the nation abide by them if that were to happen.
He said that boat operators have caused an avoidable loss of life. By overloading their vessels in violation of safety regulations.
According to Diri, “The boat accident that claimed over 100 lives in Kwara State is really tragic.
“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, I express our condolences to my brother-governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and people of the state.
“I also commiserate with the families of the victims of the tragedy.
“This incident is a sad reminder of what we face in Bayelsa, other coastal states of the Niger Delta and in similar riverine areas in other parts of the country.
“The Federal Government, which controls our waterways, needs to put in place a holistic transportation policy that also ensures safety of passengers on our rivers.
“Lives are being lost due to lack of measures to guarantee safety on waterways. The focus had been on road infrastructure and air transportation. The waterways are equally important as an alternative means of transportation.”
cc: Independent Ng
