Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday gave 1,000 life jackets to the Etsu of Patigi, Alhaji Umar Bologi II, for distribution to his subjects.
The aim is to prevent drowning and death in the event of a boat accident during water travel.
Boat accident had in June this year claimed over 126 lives at Patigi in Patigi Local Government.
AbdulRazaq handed the life jackets to the monarch after a meeting the governor had with first-class monarchs, who had come to brief him on some issues of security and general well-being of the people.
The governor said a similar gesture would be extended to Edu Local Government and other riverine areas, to promote safe water travel.
“This is only a phase of donation of life jackets to the people of Patigi Local Government. We will also move to Edu Local Government to make sure we have adequate life-saving equipment for our people along the banks of River Niger and within the riverine communities. It is a continuous process, and health and safety issues are being addressed,” he said.
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Etsu Bologi II thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for taking “wonderful steps” to protect his subjects.
He said this would avert recurrence of boat accidents.
“On behalf of the people of Patigi Emirate Council, I thank His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for this wonderful donation of life jackets to our people at riverine areas, who are mostly farmers and fishermen,
“Thank you very much, Your Excellency. We pray Almighty Allah to guide and protect you and continue to uplift your government and see you succeed,” he added.
The state government recently sent a team to the Lagos Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as part of its ongoing efforts to boost water travel and safety.