The government of Niger State has donated N13 million to victims of the boat mishap in Malili, Borgu Local Government Area of the state, which weekend claimed 26 lives.
The accident, which 58 other passengers survived, the state government said yesterday, was caused by trees and stones in the river that impeded the smooth navigation of the waterway by the boat.
State Commissioner for Transport, Mallam Garba Mohammed, who spoke to reporters at a press briefing in Minna on Monday, said the accident was caused by the terrain of the river.
According to Mohammed, immediately the disaster was reported to the government, it sent a team to the area. He added that it was during the team’s visit that it was discovered that the driver of the boat was alive and he gave an account of how the incident happened.
He explained that it was during the driver’s narration that it emerged that about 80 passengers were on board the ill-fated boat and of the 26 persons that were killed, 20 were adults and others children.
Some of the deceased, he said, were of Hausa, Fulani and Dukawa tribes and National Park officials.
Mohammed however accused the boat driver of violating water transportation laws in the state by not providing the passengers with life jackets and paddling the boat without a balloon, adding that the state government would consider prosecuting him for breaching the law.
The commissioner also said that the state government would send a delegation to New Bussa to condole with the emir, Haliru Dantoro, members of his traditional council and the people of Borgu Local Government Area over the incident.
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