President directs NIWA, NEMA to work with Sokoto Government to prevent recurrence as rescue efforts continue.
President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the families of victims of the boat accident in Gorau Community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which claimed at least 46 lives.
The President also extended his condolences to the government and people of Sokoto State, describing the incident as a tragic loss.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for the safe recovery of those still missing.
He commended emergency responders and local authorities for their rescue and recovery efforts, while directing relevant federal agencies, including the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to work with the Sokoto State Government to prevent similar incidents.
President Tinubu also ordered stricter enforcement of safety standards on the nation’s waterways and assured the people of Sokoto of the Federal Government’s support.
The accident occurred on Thursday when a boat carrying 77 passengers, including farmers, women and children, reportedly capsized shortly after departing Gorau Community.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that 46 bodies had been recovered, while 15 passengers were rescued alive. Rescue operations involving local divers, NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the police were still ongoing.
The tragedy occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio Community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.