The Association of Inland Water Transporters in Taraba State has raised alarm over lack of life jackets which is endangering passengers plying the waterways in the state.
The acting chairman of the association, Alhaji Jidda Mayoreniwo, told North East Trust in an interview that most deaths in boat mishaps were because passengers were not wearing life jackets as obtainable in advanced countries.
He said with over 50 local jetties along River Benue, River Taraba and River Donga, there is no single life jacket for hundreds of passengers travelling on the waters.
He said thousands of communities in Ardo-Kola, Sardauna, Bali, Gashaka, Gassol, Lau, Karim-Lamido, Donga and Ibbi rely on inland water transportation but safety measures are still to be addressed.
Alhaji Jidda said it is sad that in all the engine boats, flying boats and canoes ferrying passengers and goods in the area, there is not a single life jacket for passengers.
“Not all passengers, especially women and non-residents of riverine areas can swim but with life jackets passengers could be saved if there is any mishap,” he said.
According to him, many of the engine boats have capacity for between 30 and 50 passengers but none wears a life jacket.
He said it is compulsory to wear a life jacket in inland waterways transport system in South South and South West regions and failure attracts N20,000 fine but in the North such laws are not in force.
Alhaji Jidda, further told North East Trust that there is the need to have about 50,000 life jackets for use in all the jetties in Taraba alone.
He said the association was making effort to enter into an agreement for the supply of the jackets with a private company.
The chairman, however, called on the Federal Inland Waterway Authority and the Taraba State government to assist the union in acquiring life jackets for the safety of passengers.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
