- We can’t allow a repeat – Governor Kefas
Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
At least twenty fishermen lost their lives on Monday after a boat conveying them capsized around Anyiin, on the Taraba stretch of the River Benue.
Alhaji Jidda Suleiman, Taraba state water Transportation chairman, told journalists that the incident happened in between Chinkai of Benue and the Anyeci area of Wukari local government area of Taraba State.
This is coming only weeks after a similar incident claimed the lives of over Seventy persons, mostly those who were returning from the Mayoreno fish market, on the same stretch of the river.
“The boat was conveying fishermen, comprising people from Ibi, and Wukari local government areas of Taraba State. I was informed that the fishermen converged and boarded the boat to Kwara state in search for greener pasture, and along the way, they had an accident and over twenty people have died. Twelve people out of the dead bodies are from Ibi while, some from Gareji, in Gindin Doruwa, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
“It has been a tradition of our fishermen from Taraba State that, once is December, some will travel to Cameroon, some to Chad and other places like that to fish till August of the following year.
“Its unfortunate that the usual tradition turned to be sorrowful this time. I wish to appeal to both the state and federal governments to assist us with life jackets, which is the only solution to averting similar incidents” Jidda appealed.
Meanwhile, Taraba state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas has condoled with families of victims of Monday boat mishap in Ibi local government area of the state.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the special adviser to Governor Kefas on media and digital communication, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, the governor describe the incident as most worrisome since it is coming barely a week after a similar incident that claimed over 70 lives in Karim-Lamido local area of the state.
Governor Kefas who prays for the repose of the souls of the departed, disclosed that the state government was already working out modalities to forestall future occurrences of boat mishaps in the State.
“Today’s boat incident is even more unfortunate since is coming on the heels of a similar one in Karim Lamido that threw the state into mourning. It is heartbroken, however, I wish to appeal that government is already on top of the situation as various investigations are underway to unravel the remote causes of boat mishaps in the state.
“I would soon personally tour the affected areas to meet with local stakeholders in the waterways transport sectors to ensure that water transport system is safe for passengers. Measures are in place to face out old boats and introduce the compulsory use of life jackets among other life-saving measures,” he said.
