By Mohammed Baba Busu
The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), says it will continue to partner sister agencies to enhance water transportation safety in the country.
Its Managing Director, Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, said this in a statement by Nura Tanko-Wakili, Head, Press and Public Affairs, N-HYPPADEC, in Minna on Tuesday.
He said such partnership was imperative to encourage compliance with safety measures on inland water transportation.
Sadiq-Yelwa described as shocking, the boat mishap at Tungan Leda in Shagunu District in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger.
He expressed concern that boat operators were exposing innocent lives to danger in spite of efforts by relevant authorities to put a stop to the menace.
Sadiq-Yelwa sympathised with the family members as well as government and people of Niger and Kebbi states over the incident.
The managing director expressed the commission’s heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
He also sympathised with other victims and wished them fast recovery.
The boat according to the local authorities was conveying over 80 passengers with a lot of goods from Duga Mashaya in Niger to a neighbouring market in Wara, Kebbi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that local authorities confirmed the recovery of five corpses, many passengers rescued and 12 others missing.
Preliminary investigation attributed the accident to overloading of the already won-out boat which has undergone many repairs.
NAN
