The Taraba State Commissioner for Special Duties and Social Development, Saviour Noku, has said at least 20 bodies have been recovered from the boat accident that occurred along the Mayo-Renewo-Karim Lamido Waterway in River Benue on 28 October.
Noku disclosed this on Saturday during a condolence visit to families of victims of the unfortunate incident in the Binneri community of the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, while condoling the families of the victims and the people of the community, expressed sadness over the incident and announced a government ban on night journeys on waterways across the state to forestall a reoccurrence.
While blaming the incident on the barricades on the waterways by fishermen in attempts to catch fish, the deputy governor instructed that all barricades on the waterways be cleared within seven days.
“This sad development is unacceptable. This incident we were told was caused by barricades on the waterways by fishermen.
“Government has, therefore, banned all night journeys on the waterways, and all the barricades on the waterways must be cleared within seven days.
“In addition, all passengers must put on lifejackets before boarding boats in the state. And henceforth, manifest of passengers onboard boats must be taken before setting out”, he said.
Reports revealed that a boat carrying 104 passengers, mostly women and children, capsized in River Benue on October 28 while returning from Mayo-Renewo fish market in Ardo-Kola Local Government to Binneri in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state.
