Boat Mishap: Niger Gov Wants HYPPADEC to Provide Safety Measures

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Reacting to the death of seven people in a boat mishap at Zhigir village last weekend, Niger State Governor, Mr. Abubakar Sani Bello, has told the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission HYPPADEC to provide safety measures for villagers in the riverine areas of the state.

Bello described the incident as “painful and unfortunate” said assured that quick intervention by HYPPPADEC would save the people from future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.

The incident happened when the victims were traveling to neighbouring Dnaweto village for the naming ceremony of the son of a relationship.

In a condolence message to the bereaved families and the Zhigir community the governor suggested that apart from providing the villagers with life jackets, HYPPADEC should also carryout serious sensitisation of members of the community on how to forestall future occurrence.

In the statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Noel Berje, the governor noted that “the people living around the new Zungeru dam must be protected.

“I am really sad with the unfortunate boat mishap, measures need to be put in place to really avoid reoccurrence. It is good to have the dam, it is also important to protect the people living around the dam.”

Bello, however, acknowledged the fact that the construction of the dam “is desirable as it will boost power generation in the country” but submitted that the welfare of the community must be properly taken care of.

The governor assured the people that that the state government would not leave any stone unturned to ensure all necessary measures are put in place to prevent future occurrence before commiserating with the families of the victims.

Two wives of one Mr. Muazu Babangida and their son were among the seven people that lost their lives in the boat mishap which occurred last Sunday evening.

The remains of six of the casualties were recovered from the river and buried according to Muslim rites while the search for the 7th person has continued.

It was gathered that there were nine persons on board the ill-fated boat in which a man and a woman survived.

The accident was reportedly caused by the creation of a new river in the area where people used to travel on dry land.