Old boats using Taraba State’s waterways will soon be phased out, according to Governor Agbu Kefas.
The governor also said that life jacket use would now be required, responding to a boat disaster that happened in Ibi council on Sunday. The declaration was made on Monday.
According to reports, there was another boat accident in Taraba State on Sunday that resulted in several fatalities.
The catastrophe happened while the state was still in sorrow over the previous boat accident in Karim-Lamido council, which claimed the lives of numerous passengers.
“This occurrence is even more unfortunate coming on the heels of another tragic boat capsize in Karim Lamido that threw the state into mourning,” Kefas added, describing Sunday’s catastrophe as a dreadful tragedy.
He claims that “many investigations were underway to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the boat accidents in the state,” indicating that his government is already on top of the matter.
The governor reaffirmed his prior pledge to ensure passenger safety in water transportation while also announcing that he will soon personally visit the impacted areas in order to speak with local stakeholders in the waterways transport industry.
He reaffirmed that the enforcement of safety standards and other measures, together with aqua tourism and investment, are key components of his broader economic program.
In an announcement given the media in the state capital, Kefas stated that “old boats would soon be phased out, and the use of life jackets made compulsory among other life-saving measures.” The statement was provided by his Special Advisor for Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello.