The National Inland Waterways Authority has released boats to help provide services for stranded travellers in Lokoja and Koton Karfe of Kogi State.

NIWA managing director George Moghalu said this in a statement signed by the agency’s spokesman Jibril Dardau on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Moghalu gave the directive to the Area Manager in Lokoja to quickly release the boats to help ease the suffering of the travelers caused by the flood.

He quoted the NIWA gauge readers in Lokoja, as confirming an increased flood level in 2022 when compared to the incident witnessed in 2012.

According to the NIWA gauge readers in Lokoja, the 2012 flood level was 12.84 meters whereas that of this year is reading 13.22 meters, hence, the 2022 flood level has surpassed that of 2012 with 0.38 meters.

“The flood this year has overtaken some major roads in Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe Local Government Areas of Kogi State which made it impassable for travelers from or through Lokoja to Abuja thereby creating serious hardship on Nigerians.

“It is in this regard, NIWA in conjunction with the Boat Owners Association have been providing succour to these victims in compliance to the safety guidelines of wearing life jackets, avoiding overloading, overspeeding and night sailing,” Mr Moghalu said.

(NAN)