Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has lamented the refusal of residents to use life jackets while travelling on water.

The governor made the remark during the distribution of relief materials to some victims of a boat mishap in the state by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

More than 100 people recently drowned and more are still missing after a boat carrying passengers capsized in Patigi Local Government Area of the state.

The vessel was carrying about 300 passengers travelling from Kwara to Niger state after a wedding at about 2:00 a.m. on the fateful day.

Mr AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, mentioned that the state government had distributed over 1000 life jackets to the community to utilise so as to mitigate any disaster, but people refused to make judicious use of them.

He assured that the state government would continue to prioritise the safety of the citizens at all times.

Speaking on the sidelines of the intervention, Mustapha Ahmed, the Direct General of NEMA, expressed sadness at the incident, while conveying the sympathy of the Federal Government to the people of Kwara.

He said that the incident was particularly sad due to the extent of lives lost and damage caused to the livelihoods of many persons.

“Upon receiving news of the unfortunate incident, President Bola Tinubu directed NEMA to respond in providing necessary support to the affected persons,” he said.

According to him, the agency in conjunction with the Kwara government and other relevant agencies conducted assessment of the situation.

He listed some of the relief items to include 1000 bags of rice, 1000 (10kg) bags of maize, 1000 bags of beans (10kg) and 50 kegs of vegetable oil.

Others included 50 cartons of seasoning cubes, 60 cartons of tomato pastes, 50 cartons of soap, 50 pieces of children’s wear, 50 pieces of men’s and 50 pieces of women’s wear.

Mr Ahmed stated that the relief items are meant to complement the efforts of the Kwara government in providing immediate succour to the affected persons.

Also speaking, AbdulRazaq Jidda, the immediate past Special Adviser on Special Duties to the governor appealed to NEMA for more assistance.

Mr Jidda advocated the dredging of Asa River which had continued to pose threat to the environs during the rainy season whenever it overflowed its banks. 

(NAN)