Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has drew attention to the danger constituted by the waterway linking Kogi With Niger States.
The Kogi State governor ascribed recent frequent boat accidents in which many people died to such dangerous waterway.
In a message of sympathy issued today, November 29, by his spokesperson, Ismaila Isah, the governor called on relevant authorities to urgently do something positive to avert further accident on the same routine.
He asked the authorities concerned to ensure that safety measures are immediately put in place to minimize risks associated with water transportation in the country.
Governor Ododo who commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its efforts in search and rescue operation, called for concerted efforts through inter-agency collaboration to prevent cases of waterways accident and to enhance emergency response management.
Governor Ododo sympathized with victims of the recent boat mishap that claimed the lives of some passengers who are indigenes of Kogi State.
He expressed sadness over the boat accident said he was particularly concerned that most of the victims were women, petty traders and artisans who are involved in legitimate business activities to earn a living and contribute to the economy of the state.
Governor Ododo commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and assured that the government will support those injured in their recuperations.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) had today, confirmed that some traders who were on their way to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State were killed while others sustained injuries when the boat coveying them from Kogi state capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of the River Niger.