The Federal Government has pledged to improve safety on Nigeria’s waterways following the August 17 boat mishap in Sokoto State that left four people dead and five missing.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, said this in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Muhammad Ahmad. He commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their swift intervention during the incident in Goronyo Local Government Area.
“The rescue efforts in Sokoto highlight the importance of synergy between agencies. NIWA and NEMA arrived early, rescuing passengers and recovering victims,” he said, stressing the need for sustained collaboration.
Goronyo added that the Federal Government would continue to provide infrastructure, equipment, and policies to ensure safer and more efficient water transport, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamji, said the agency would soon deploy one of five new boats to Sokoto, clear water hyacinth obstructing waterways, and distribute life jackets to riverine communities.
The Sokoto State Government confirmed that four passengers died, 41 were rescued, while five remain missing after the boat capsized on the Sokoto Rima River.
