Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his grief as the number of fatalities from the boat accident that occurred at the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 60.
The boat reportedly capsized on Tuesday after colliding with a submerged tree stump in the river, resulting in the deaths of several passengers, including women and children.
So far, the death toll from the boat incident has reached 60, with 10 people in critical condition and many others still missing.
Responding to the tragedy, Atiku emphasized the urgent need for the government to enhance the safety of the country’s waterways.
In a statement posted on his social media handles, Atiku highlighted the importance of boat travel as a vital transportation method for many Nigerians.
He stressed the necessity of ensuring the safety of transportation infrastructure through appropriate protocols and measures.
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“Overloading should be discouraged, capacity limits must be strictly observed, and the provision of life jackets should be mandatory.
“The cost of ensuring safety is far less than the cost of lives lost in preventable tragedies,” he stated.
Atiku also extended his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, noting that the incident serves as a crucial reminder for Nigerian authorities to prioritize investments in water transportation safety infrastructure, monitoring, and public awareness to prevent such tragic events in the future.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost loved ones. I offer my deepest sympathies to the people and government of Niger State and the local authorities,” he added.
