Marine travelers in Sokoto state will henceforth have to wear life jackets and travel in motor boats instead of dug-out canoes, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said.
The directive was given in the wake of a boat mishap in which 13 people, mostly women and children, traveling from Dorowa to Ginga village in Shagari local government area of the state died, according to a statement by Tambuwal’s spokesman Muhammad Bello on Friday.
The governor directed the state Ministry for Local Government, headed by Deputy Governor Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya, in collaboration with the state emergency relief agency, to provide motor boats and life jackets to the local government areas where passengers have to cross rivers, lakes and ponds.
He said the facilities will be distributed to people living in riverine areas in the state since the raining season has started. The governor also charged people to always take precautionary measures while being transported by boats.
Gov. Tambuwal, while condoling with the people of the area, prayed Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul firdausi. He also prayed to Allah to prevent future occurence.
