Taraba bans night travel by boat following boat accident

The Taraba State government has banned all forms of night journeys on waterways across the state.

The ban followed the recent boat mishap that occurred in Binneri community of Karim-Lamido local government council.

Recall that a boat carrying 104 passengers, mostly women and children, capsized in River Benue on October 28 while returning from Mayo-Renewo fish market in Ardo-Kola Local Government to Binneri in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state.

At the time, it was reported that 21 bodies had been recovered (read here).

The state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, while condoling the families of the victims and the people of the community, expressed sadness over the incident and announced a government ban on night journeys on waterways across the state to forestall a reoccurrence.

While blaming the incident on the barricades on the waterways by fishermen in attempts to catch fish, the deputy governor instructed that all barricades on the waterways be cleared within seven days.

He said: “This sad development is unacceptable.  This incident we were told was caused by barricades on the waterways by fishermen.

“Government has, therefore, banned all night journeys on the waterways, and all the barricades on the waterways must be cleared within seven days.

“In addition, all passengers must put on lifejackets before boarding boats in the state. And henceforth, manifest of passengers onboard boats must be taken before setting out.”