NGF mourns Benue boat accident victims, urges safety measures

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has commiserated with the people and government of Benue State on the death of 20 people in the weekend’s boat mishap in the Agatu local government area.

The forum also commends the emergency responders for rescuing 11 of the travellers alive.

The NGF in a statement signed by its chairman, AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, on Monday, said that it commiserated with the Benue state governor on the sad incident.

AbdulRazaq said, “We send our commiserations to His Excellency Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia and the people of the state on the sad incident. We beseech God Almighty to repose the souls of those who died in the incident.

”The NGF, however, called on the Nigeria Inland Waterways Agency to step up its activities by enforcing rules guiding water transport to prevent the recurrence of accidents on Nigerian rivers.

”It also appealed to boat operators from carrying an overload of passengers on their boats and urged citizens to avoid night journeys.

“Similarly, we again call on regulatory authorities to step up oversights and enforcements to prevent these recurring incidents, while urging citizens and boat operators to avoid night travels, overloads, and adhere to all safety protocols at all times in the larger interest of everyone”, it said.

Recall that a boat accident which occurred in the Agatu local government area of Benue state on Saturday claimed the lives of about 20 people while 11 persons were rescued from the Water alive by local divers.

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