By Aminu Dalhatu
A renowned Islamic scholar in Zamfara State, Sheikh Tukur Sani Jangebe, has called on the Federal Government, northern governors, local government chairmen and other stakeholders to provide modern and safer boats for communities that depend on waterways for transportation.
Jangebe made the call in Gusau, the state capital, while reacting to the recent boat accident in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which reportedly claimed several lives.
He described the recurring boat accidents across northern Nigeria as alarming and unfortunate, urging governments to take urgent measures to prevent further loss of lives.
According to him, similar accidents occur almost every year in states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Yobe and Zamfara, but adequate preventive measures have yet to be implemented.
The former Zamfara State Commissioner for Religious Affairs attributed the accidents to poverty, negligence, overloading, the use of old and unsafe boats, and weak enforcement of waterway safety regulations.
He said some communities still rely on old canoes, while boats designed to carry about 50 passengers are sometimes overloaded with more than 100 people, alongside food items and animals.
Jangebe urged governments to identify communities that depend on rivers for farming, fishing and transportation and provide them with modern, durable boats. He also called for strict enforcement of passenger limits and the compulsory use of life jackets.
He appealed to governments, international organisations, philanthropists and wealthy individuals to support affected communities with boats and safety equipment. He also urged authorities to consider compensation for families who lose loved ones in boat accidents, describing the recurring deaths as a matter requiring urgent attention.
Editing by Safiyah Abdulkadir
