At last, Gov. Alia offers condolences to over 20 families of boat mishap in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Six days into the ill-fated boat mishap on the River Benue, where over 20 people and many others are missing, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has finally  offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

The Governor in a condolence message to the affected families on Friday, 20th December, 2024, as sighted by our correspondent in Makurdi, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones.

Recall that over 20 people predominantly  market women and children reportedly died with so many others missing after a tragic boat accident occurred on the River Benue.

 The incidence happened on  Saturday 14th December, 2024, when a wooden boat was loaded with several goods and passengers returning from Ocholonya market in Agatu local government area of Benue State to Udei in Nasarawa Toto Local Government Area  of Nasarawa State after close of market capsized.

In the statement, the Governor lamented it is sad that this incident has brought immense sorrow to the communities, and shared in their grief during this difficult time.

He also sympathized with those who sustained varying degrees of injury from the mishap, stating that his administration is committed to ensuring they receive the necessary medical treatment and support.

The Governor who spoke  through his chief press secretary Tersoo Kula, also expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for their swift show of solidarity and support during the tragedy as soon as they received the information.

He said, “Your well-being is our priority, and we will work diligently to provide the care you need for a swift recovery.”

 “Your compassion and partnership are invaluable to us, and together we can navigate these challenging times.”

“I assured the public that, in light of this unfortunate incident, I  will liaise with the Nigerian Navy to implement measures aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future. We must prioritize the safety of our waterways to protect our citizens,” he stated.

He further declared that he will provide life jackets at all crossing points in the state as an immediate step, adding that this initiative is crucial to reducing casualties to zero in the event of mishaps.

While urging union leaders in the maritime business in the state and community officials to commence sensitization efforts among their members on the critical need for the use of life jackets, the Governor also stated, “It is imperative that we all understand the importance of safety measures while traversing our rivers.”

He concluded, “Together, we can foster a culture of safety and awareness that will help protect our people.”

Praying for the repose of those who lost their lives, the Governor called on the state to honor the memory of the deceased by committing to safety and vigilance on our waterways.