In a bid to enhance safety and reduce water accidents, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has launched the distribution of 20 motorized boats to riverine communities.
The initiative, flagged off at Kwalkwalawa River in Wamakko Local Government Area, aligns with the governor’s commitment to addressing recurring boat mishaps, particularly during the rainy season.
Governor Aliyu emphasized the importance of water transportation in Sokoto’s semi-arid landscape, where vast areas rely on rivers for mobility during the rainy season.
He urged boat operators and local authorities to avoid overloading, a primary cause of boat capsizing, to ensure passenger safety.
The distribution, benefiting 10 riverine local government areas—Shagari, Silame, Wurno, Rabah, Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Kebbe, Tambuwal, and Wamakko—includes motorized boats, life jackets, and other relief materials.
This action follows recommendations from the 2024 Flood Disaster Response Committee to bolster safety measures.
The Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, highlighted that the initiative reflects the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve transportation, particularly for rural communities.
Similarly, Special Advisor to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Aminu Liman Bodinga, noted that over ₦3 billion was invested in flood disaster relief materials for 2014, underscoring the governor’s proactive approach to preventing loss of life due to boat mishaps.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Sarkin Adar Dundaye, Muhammad Bello Yakubu, alongside representatives from NEMA and the National Inland Waterways Authority, commended the governor for the procurement and his broader emergency management efforts.
