FG Vows Safer Water Transport After Sokoto Boat Tragedy

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of enhanced safety measures on the nation’s waterways following the August 17 boat accident in Sokoto State that claimed four lives, with five passengers still missing.

Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, gave the assurance in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Muhammad Ahmad.

He praised the prompt response of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who swiftly intervened during the incident in Goronyo Local Government Area.

“The rescue operations in Sokoto demonstrate the value of inter-agency collaboration. NIWA and NEMA arrived on time, rescuing passengers and recovering victims,” Goronyo said, emphasizing the need for sustained partnership among agencies.

He further noted that the Federal Government remains committed to providing infrastructure, equipment, and policies to guarantee safer and more efficient water transport in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Meanwhile, NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamji, revealed that the agency will soon deploy one of its five newly acquired boats to Sokoto, clear water hyacinth hindering water routes, and distribute life jackets to riverine communities.

The Sokoto State Government confirmed that the mishap on the Sokoto Rima River left four dead, 41 rescued, and five passengers unaccounted for.