No fewer than 350 people died in water mishaps in the country last year, Chairman Governing Council of Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Hon. Joseph Terfa Ityav, has said.
The chairman stated this at the weekend in Borgu local government of Niger state while flagging off cutting and removal of logs from Kainji and Shiroro Lakes.
He said, “Not less than 350 persons died in 2020 through water navigations in the country. We have identified some of the causes of these river accidents to poor condition of boats, over loading, lack of life jackets and tree logs.”
This, he explained, necessitated the cutting of tree logs and removal of water snacks in the waterways towards containing such unfortunate incidents in riverine communities.
Also speaking at the event which was held at Malete village, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, lamented that recently over 100 passengers lost their lives in boat mishap in Lalale.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for enacting the HYPPADEC Act in 2010 and also ensuring its smooth take off.
In a remark, the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro Kitoro 11, appealed to the federal government to continue to support the commission both in funding and political will towards enhancing its set goals.
The royal father expressed the appreciation of his people to the federal government, adding that the take off of the commission is the actualisation of the dreams and struggle of his fore fathers.
He assured that the emirate will continue to support and cooperate with the commission in the execution of people-oriented programmes, aimed at alleviating the hardship of communities affected by the activities of the dams.
