Niger To Arrest, Prosecute Boat Operators Without Life Jackets

The Niger State government has vowed to commence sanctioning and prosecuting boat operators who refuse to adhere to the usage of life jackets on their boats.

The State Commissioner of Transport, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, stated this when he led a delegation to Guni in Munya local government area to condole with the families of the victims of recent boat mishap which occurred in Zumba.

The Commissioner revealed that her Ministry provided 150 life jackets to Guni boat operators before the incident.

Hajiya Kuta expressed her dismay on the reason the passengers who lost their lives in the mishap refused to use the life jackets.

She appealed to traditional leaders and especially, the association of boat operators to ensure its usage, assuring that the government will no longer condone anyone caught disobeying the rule.

In their separate condolence messages on behalf of the Niger State governor, Umar Bago, the Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Maurice Magaji and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mairo Mohammed Mann, they urged members of the community to accept the irreparable loss as destiny.

They stressed the need for the community leaders to ensure proper supervision of passengers wearing life jackets and the removal of undergrowth to prevent future occurrence.

The duo assured of Governor Bago’s commitment to saving lives and properties of the people, and called for collaboration from all stakeholders in achieving that objective.

The families of the thirteen (13) victims of the mishap were given N250,000, 50kg of rice and maize each, while 50 additional life jackets were given to the association of boat operators in the area.