The deputy governor of Nigeria’s northern Taraba state, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, has banned night travel on waterways.
Fishermen must also now remove barricades and boat crews have been told to stop overloading passengers, offer life jackets and have passenger manifests.
It follows the recovery of 20 bodies after a fatal boat accident last month along the Benue River, one of Nigeria’s largest rivers. At least 14 people survived but more than 70 people are believed to be missing.
Rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by water levels being at their highest, Taraba police spokesperson Usman Abdullahi said last week.
Authorities have attributed the frequent boat accidents in Nigeria’s riverine states to inaccessible roads, boat overloading and failure of boat users to use life jackets.
Source: Fiilafmonline/BBC
