The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has described as devastating, a boat mishap in Niger State, which killed scores of passengers.
About 60 bodies have been reportedly recovered after the boat capsized on Tuesday night at Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State. The boat was said to be carrying over 300 passengers.
The Speaker, while expressing sadness over the accident, commiserated with the families of the deceased, the people, and the government of Niger State. He especially sympathised with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago over the incident.
While calling for safer water transportation of people and goods across the country, Speaker Abbas charged agencies in charge of maritime and inland waterways to enforce safety standards.
Meanwhile, the Speaker also lamented the natural disaster in Mokwa LGA of Niger State, where over 300 communities have been flooded, and many people displaced from their homes and farms.
Speaker Abbas said the flood has a serious socio-economic impact on the people, the state, and the country by extension. He, therefore, called for concerted efforts by all relevant emergency and humanitarian agencies of the government to provide relief to the victims.