Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
The House of Representatives to critically examine the causes of maritime transport accidents and recommend effective measures to curtailing such mishaps.
The House will also deliberate on necessary assistance to be offered to victims of the tragic boat accident at Warrah, Kebbi State, when it reconvenes.
The Deputy-Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Idris Wase announced this in Birnin Kebbi when he led high powered delegation of members of the House on a condolence visit to the people and government of Kebbi state on the unfortunate incident.
The Deputy Speaker, made it clear that as leaders, all hands must be on-deck to evolve correct, effective and permanent solution to mishaps by boats and canoes on the waterways.
He described the fatal boat accident at Warrah as a national tragedy, expressing deep, sincere sympathy of Members of the House of Representatives to the families of the victims, people and government of Kebbi State.
Alhaji Ahmed Idris Wase said the members would discuss fully on the floor of the House, necessary measures towards bringing succour to the family of the victims.
In response, the Secretary to Kebbi State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, who represented Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, thanked members of the delegation for their sympathy and empathy to the people of the state on the boat accident.
He informed them that the state government has commenced action to forestalling a recurrence as well as provided interim relief to families of the victims.
The SSG welcomed proposed measures to be adopted by the House of Representatives on ensuring safe and smooth marine transportation in the country, saying mishaps on the waterways have become recurring decimal resulting to enormous loos of lives.
Alhaji Babale Umar revealed that as at now, 97 bodies have been recovered and buried while twenty-two persons were rescued alive.
The SSG extended the goodwill of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who holds the traditional title of Sadaukin Yauri, for his condolences and love to the people of Kebbi state.
The delegation of the House of Representatives also visited the palace of the Emir of Yauri, Dr. Muhammadu Zayyanu Abdullahi on similar condolence mission.
