The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the boat accident in Niger State, News About Nigeria reports.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, on Friday, the speaker extended his condolences to both the families of the victims and the Niger State government.
While calling for safer water transportation for people and goods across the country, Abbas urged the agencies responsible for maritime and inland waterways to enforce safety standards.
The speaker also expressed concern over the natural disaster in Mokwa LGA, where over 300 communities have been flooded, displacing many people from their homes and farms.
He noted that the flood has had serious socio-economic consequences for the people, the state, and the nation at large.
He called for concerted efforts by all relevant emergency and humanitarian agencies of the government to provide relief materials to the victims to help alleviate the impact of the disaster.
Recall that a boat that was said to be carrying over 300 passengers capsized on Tuesday night at the Gbajibo River in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
About 60 bodies have reportedly been recovered while the search for other bodies has continued.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has also continued to direct and monitor search and rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, brave local divers, and other community volunteers to recover other bodies.