…Over 700 Life Jackets Supplied to Ensure Passenger Safety on Waterways
The Gombe State Government has inaugurated its first-ever marine transport service, marking a historic milestone in the state’s transportation sector.
The inauguration took place in Kupto, Funakaye Local Government Area, along the Upper River Gongola.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transportation, Engr. Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, urged passengers and boat operators to prioritise safety and adhere strictly to all operational guidelines.
He warned against boarding boats without life jackets and advised operators to avoid night travel, citing safety concerns.
The newly introduced modern boat, provided by in partnership with National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), is expected to significantly ease transportation challenges for riverine communities in the area.
Commissioner Kallamu reiterated the Inuwa Yahaya administration’s commitment to harnessing all available modes of transportation for the benefit of citizens, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
” His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has assured that more boats would be provided to Kupto and other riverbank communities to further enhance safe water travel across the state”, he said.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Ibrahim Baba Ibrahim, the State Coordinator of N-HYPPADEC, represented by Abdullahi Muhammad, stated that the commission had also supplied over 700 life jackets to the state, underscoring its commitment to ensuring passenger safety on the waterways.
Also speaking, Nana Asma’u Jika, Manager of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Gombe-Yola Area Office, represented by Dahiru Inuwa, provided safety tips and demonstrated the correct use of life jackets.
She emphasised that, in the event of a boat mishap, life jackets could keep passengers afloat for up to six hours while awaiting rescue.
The Deputy Chairman of Funakaye LGA, who represented the LGA Chairman, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdulrahman, along with traditional leaders including the Yarima of Kupto, Hassan Sambo, and Alhaji Usman Ahmad, representative of the District Head of Mainoma in Gulani LGA, Yobe State, expressed appreciation to the state government and its partners for making water transportation safer and more accessible.
They pledged to ensure proper use and maintenance of the boat and affirmed their commitment to promoting safety on the waterways.
Also, the Sarkin Ruwan Kupto, Malam Usman Ali, described the development as a significant turning point in the history of water transport in Gombe State.
He noted that the new transportation system would go a long way in reducing travel risks and boosting confidence among residents who rely on water transport for their daily movement.
