NEMA Distributes Relief Materials, Life Jackets to Sokoto Boat Mishap Victims
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has distributed life jackets and relief materials to families affected by the Gorau boat mishap in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Public Relations Officer of NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Mr Dahiru Kure, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN on Sunday in Sokoto.
Kure said the agency carried out a direct distribution of humanitarian relief assistance to families affected by the boat accident in Gorau village.
He explained that the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s response to the tragedy, noting that the distribution of life jackets was aimed at improving the safety of boat operators and passengers crossing the river.
According to him, the Head of NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Mr Tukur Abubakar, represented the Director-General of the agency, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, at the distribution ceremony.
Kure said the intervention was intended to identify with the affected families and cushion the impact of the incident, adding that many of the victims, mostly youths, were travelling to their farms when the boat capsized.
He said the Director General stressed the need for strict adherence to safety measures, particularly the consistent use of life jackets by boat operators and passengers, to prevent further loss of lives during river crossings.
The Gorau village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji, who survived the mishap, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the assistance on behalf of the affected families and the community.
Kure said the food items distributed included rice, beans, spaghetti, salt and tomato paste, while the non-food items comprised adult and children’s clothing, detergents, sleeping materials and mosquito nets, among others.
He added that the village head subsequently urged the Sarkin Ruwa, leader of the boat operators, to ensure proper and consistent use of life jackets by both operators and passengers.
NAN reports that no fewer than 65 people drowned when a boat carrying 85 passengers to a rice farm capsized in Gorau village on August 20.
