The Adamawa State Government says overloading, disregard for bad weather and non-usage of life jackets are factors responsible for the boat accidents recorded so far.
Media Talk Africa recalls that accidents have claimed dozens of lives in the last eight days, sparking criticism about the management of water transport in the state.
The most recent wave of accidents happened on Monday, September 4, when a canoe travelling between Mayo-Ine and Mayobelwa in Mayobelwa Local Government Area capsized, killing two of its passengers.
Another accident, four days later, involving another canoe conveying 23 traders and farmers from Rugange village to Yola town in Yola South area occurred on Njuwa Lake at Dandu village, killing 15 people.
Just as rescue workers struggled to recover corpses of missing persons from Njuwa Lake, on Monday, another boat conveying dozens of passengers was overturned by strong wind in Gurin, Fufore LGA. Local divers rescued 11 persons while many more remained missing.
Muhammad Amin Sulaiman, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, said the government was working to enforce safety measures to prevent future occurrence.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who paid a condolence visit to Gurin on Tuesday, stated that he had directed all relevant agencies to enforce safety standards, which include a ban on overloading and use of life jackets on the waters.
He called on traditional rulers and local government councils to support his administration in preventing further loss of lives due to negligence and disregard for safety rules.
According to him, “We are here to commiserate with you over the drowning of our people here. I want to call attention to the dangers of using canoe without life jackets or engine to drive it especially during storm or heavy down pour. We should know life is better han money.”
He said he would direct all relevant agencies to regulate water transport and provide life jackets at every point where people are transported.
