Kano state governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has described the Bagwai local government boat mishap as a state tragedy that would never be forgotten.
Ganduje stated this during an emergency council meeting held at government house Kano.
According to the Governor, the state governemt had set up a panel of inquiry under the leadership of the state Navy commandant,Navy captain Abubakar Muhammad.
He explained that, the state government would do everything possible to assist relatives of the deceased and those receiving medical attention at Bagwai general hospital.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said so far 29 bodies have been recovered, 7 hospitalized while 14 are still missing.
He expressed concern that it was the same axis a similar accident occured 13 years ago which claimed many lives.
“I urge boat operators to always take the issue of overload very serious”
Meanwhile, the executive secretary of the Kano state emergency management agency Dr. Saleh Jili and his team had paid a condolence visit to Bagwai to condole with the families and deliver relief items.
Speaking to newsmen, the executive secretary said the agency would compile a comprehensive report for onward submission to the government for proper action.
Dr. Saleh Jili urged the general public to desist from overloading and over speeding as eye witnesses claimed that the boat was conveying over 50 passengers mostly students on their way to maulid celebrations.
” We appeal to the local government council to buy more canoes to that they can curtail the transportation problems of that area”
At the time of fiing this report, kano state government has announced a ban on the use of commercial boats for ferrying passengers from Bagwai-Badau river pending the outcome of investigations by the panel of inquiry.
KHADIJAH ALIYU/KANOA
