In view of the incessant boat mishap in riverine parts of the State, the Kwara State House of Assembly, has called on the National Inland Waterways Agency, to immediately make it mandatory for passengers to henceforth board boat and canoe with life Jacket, to check the worrying trend.
This was part of the resolutions of the House following a Motion Without Notice raised by member representing Edu Constituency, Hon. Aliyu Ishiaku Adams, on the recent boat mishap along River Niger in Lafiagi.
The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, while reading the resolutions of the House on the motion explained that the need became expedient in order to avert further loss of lives along waterways in the country.
Dr Ahmad disclosed that riverine communities in the State, particularly Lafiagi, had lost valuable lives due to lack of enforcement of the use of life jacket while on boat or canoe and stressed that the legislature under his watch would continue to prioritise sanctity of lives of the citizens.
He urged the National Inland Waterways Agency to act fast to prevent further loss of lives and properties, in riverine communities in the country.
The House equally enjoined the agency to ensure that no boat or canoe, is allowed to take passengers more than its capacity, to stem the tide of mishap in sea transport in the country.
The Legislature, which then resolved to constitute a committee to pay condolence visit to the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Saadu Kawu Haliru and families of the victims,on the tragic incidence, observed a minute silence,in honour of the departed souls.
Hon. Adams had while raising the motion, disclosed that the boat mishap,which occurred last weekend, led to loss of 20 lives and urged the National and State Emergency Management Agencies, to come to the aid of the families of the victims, to alleviate their current travails.
