Kwara lawmakers proffer solution to boat mishap

The Kwara State House of Assembly has called on the National Inland Waterways Agency to make the use of life jacket a mandatory for passengers of boat and canoe along all riverine areas across the country.

The life jacket enforcement, according to the lawmakers, would put an end to the loss of several lives of innocent Nigerians occasioned by boat mishap and other related accident accident along water ways in Nigeria.

This is 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, explained that the need becames expedient, in order to avert further loss of lives along waterways in the country.

Dr Ahmad disclosed that riverine communities in the State, particular Lafiagi, had lost valuable lives,due to lack of enforcement of the use of life jacket, while riding on boat or canoe,stressing that the legislature under his watch,would continue to belief in sanctity of lives and 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.