Gombe State government has inaugurated its first marine transport service, equipping passengers with life jackets to enhance safety and improve water transportation.
Launching the project at Kupto village in Funakaye local government area, along the Upper River Gongola, the commissioner for Works, Housing and Transportation, Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, who represented Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, with other officials, unveiled a modern boat provided in partnership with the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) to reduce boat mishaps.
The commissioner urged passengers and operators to prioritise safety, warn against night journeys, and remind travellers never to board without life jackets.
Kallamu reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to developing all modes of transportation, particularly for rural and riverine communities. He said Governor Yahaya has assured that more boats will be provided to Kupto and other riverbank communities to further enhance safe water travel across the state.
Also speaking, Nana Asma’u Jika, Manager of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Gombe-Yola Area Office, represented by Dahiru Inuwa, conducted a live demonstration on the proper use of life jackets. She explained that the gear could keep passengers afloat for up to six hours while awaiting rescue in case of accidents.
Delivering a goodwill message, Dr. Ibrahim Baba Ibrahim, State Coordinator of N-HYPPADEC, represented by Abdullahi Muhammad, announced that the commission had supplied over 700 life jackets to Gombe as part of its safety drive.
The Deputy Chairman of Funakaye LGA, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, who represented the council chairman, expressed gratitude to the state government and partners for bringing safer and more accessible transport to riverine residents.
He pledged the council’s commitment to maintaining the boats and ensuring compliance with safety guidelines.
The officials stressed that the initiative, a collaboration between the Gombe State government and N-HYPPADEC, is expected to ease transportation challenges in riverbank communities while reducing casualties from boat accidents.
