According to the Adamawa State Government, causes contributing to the boat accidents so far include overloading, disdain for adverse weather, and non-use of life jackets.
According to OBASANJO NEWS24, accidents have claimed scores of lives over the past eight days, drawing criticism for the state’s supervision of water transportation.
On Monday, September 4, a canoe moving between Mayo-Ine and Mayobelwa in the Mayobelwa Local Government Area collapsed, killing two of its occupants. This catastrophe was part of the most recent spate of mishaps.
Four days later, a second accident on Njuwa Lake in Dandu village involving a different canoe carrying 23 farmers and traders from Rugange village to Yola town in the Yola South district resulted in the death of 15 persons.
On Monday, a boat carrying dozens of passengers was capsized by heavy wind in Gurin, Fufore LGA, while rescuers worked to collect the bodies of missing people from Njuwa Lake. 11 people were saved by local divers, while many more were still missing.
The administration is attempting to enforce safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, according to Muhammad Amin Sulaiman, Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said he had ordered all pertinent agencies to enforce safety regulations, which include a restriction on overloading and the usage of life jackets on the sea, during a condolence visit to Gurin on Tuesday.
He urged local government councils and traditional leaders to work with his administration to stop more deaths brought on by carelessness and disdain for safety regulations.
He said, “We are here to express our condolences to you on the drowning of our people here. I wish to draw attention to the risks of operating a canoe without a motor or a life jacket, particularly in stormy or torrential weather. Life is worth more than money, we should know that.
In order to control water transportation and provide life jackets at each location where people are transported, he promised to issue orders to all pertinent agencies.
