To enhance safety and reduce boat mishaps in Sokoto State’s riverine communities, Governor Ahmed Aliyu has distributed 20 motorised boats and 2,000 life jackets to rural residents across the state.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony held in Dundaye village of Wamakko Local Government Area, Governor Aliyu said the initiative is aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of riverine dwellers who depend largely on water transportation for their daily activities.
“We were touched by the recent cases of boat mishaps recorded in some local government areas, which claimed lives and destroyed property. I want to use this medium to warn captains of these boats to desist from overloading. Anyone found doing so will be dealt with accordingly,” the governor cautioned.
He further directed the chairmen of the benefiting local government areas to ensure proper maintenance and security of the boats at all times, stressing that the huge investment must be protected.
The governor also appealed to passengers to cooperate with boat captains by abiding by the rules and regulations governing the use of the boats so that the set objectives could be achieved.
He restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people of Sokoto State, irrespective of their location, and solicited their continued support and prayers.
Also speaking was the Special Adviser to the Governor on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Aminu Liman Bodinga, who commended the Governor for his sustained support of the agency, especially during emergencies.
According to him, the government, through NEMA, had expended over N3 billion on the purchase of food and relief items distributed to displaced persons across the state.
Also, the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, lauded the Governor for extending his transport intervention to waterways.
He recalled the purchase and distribution of over 70 mass transit buses and taxis under the state’s mass transit programme, aimed at making transport fares cheaper and more affordable. He noted that the distribution of the boats would particularly enhance water transportation during the rainy season when some communities are usually cut off by floods.
In his remarks, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Managing Director, Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, represented by Engineer Muhammad Bello, praised Governor Aliyu for procuring the 20 motorised boats and 2,000 lifejackets for riverine communities.
He disclosed that Sokoto is the second state, after Lagos, to make such a procurement and further commended the governor’s support for federal establishments in the state, describing it as worthy of emulation.
In a statement by the Director General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa, it noted that other speakers at the occasion included House Leader Bello Idris, representatives of NEMA, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Chairman of Wamakko Local Government, Umar Ahmed.