An Islamic scholar in Zamfara State, Sheikh Tukur Sani Jangebe, has called on the Federal Government, northern state governors, local government authorities and other stakeholders to provide safer boats for communities that depend on waterways for transportation.
Jangebe made the call in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, while reacting to the recent boat accident in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which reportedly claimed several lives.
He described the recurring boat accidents across northern Nigeria as alarming, saying similar incidents had occurred almost annually in states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Yobe and Zamfara without adequate preventive measures.
Jangebe, a former Zamfara State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, attributed the accidents to poverty, negligence, overloading, the use of old and unsafe boats, and weak enforcement of waterway safety regulations.
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He said some communities still rely on old canoes, while boats designed to carry about 50 people are sometimes overloaded with more than 100 passengers, alongside food items and animals.
He warned that such practices could result in boat capsizing and mass casualties, particularly when vessels operate on rivers under difficult conditions.
The cleric urged governments to identify communities that depend on waterways for farming, fishing and transportation and provide them with modern and durable boats, while enforcing passenger limits and the compulsory use of life jackets and other safety measures.
He also appealed to international organisations, philanthropists and wealthy individuals to support affected communities with modern boats and safety equipment.
Jangebe further called on governments to consider compensating families who lose loved ones in boat accidents, describing the recurring loss of lives as a matter requiring urgent attention.
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