BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Another tragic boat accident claimed over 20 lives on Monday around Anyiin in the River Benue axis of Ibi local government area in Taraba State.
The incident comes barely two weeks after a boat mishap claimed over 70 lives in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area in the State.
Reports, which identified those involved in the incident as fishermen, said the 20 people lost their lives after a boat capsized during the journey.
Confirming the incident, Taraba State Water Transportation Chairman, Jidda Suleiman, told reporters that the tragedy took place between Chinkai in Benue State and the Anyeci area of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba state.
Suleiman said; “The boat was conveying fishermen, comprising people from Ibi, and Wukari local government areas of Taraba. I was informed that the fishermen converged and boarded the boat to Kwara state in search of greener pasture, and along the way, they had an accident and over twenty people died. Twelve people out of the dead bodies are from Ibi while some are from Gareji, in Gindin Doruwa, Wukari LGA of Taraba.
“It has been a tradition of our fishermen from Taraba that, once it is December, some will travel to Cameroon, some to Chad and other places like that to fish till August of the following year.
“It is unfortunate that the usual tradition turned sorrowful this time. I wish to appeal to both the state and federal government to assist us with life jackets, which is the only solution to averting similar incidents”.
In his reaction, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas condoled with families of victims, describing the incident as most worrisome coming barely a week after a similar incident claimed over 70 lives in Karim-Lamido local area of the state.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on media and digital communication, Mr Emmanuel Bello, the Governor while praying that God should grant the souls of the departed eternal rest, said the state government was already working out modernities to end future occurrences of boat mishaps in Taraba.
Bello quoted the Governor as saying; “Today’s boat incident is even more unfortunate since it comes 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 the government is already on top of the situation as various investigations are underway to unravel the remote causes of boat mishaps in the state.”
Further expressing personal grief over the incident, Governor Kefas said; “I would soon personally tour the affected areas to meet with local stakeholders in the waterways transport sectors to ensure that the water transport system is safe and secured for passengers at all times.
“Measures are in place to face out old boats and introduce the compulsory use of life jackets among other life-saving measures”.
