Benue: SEMA demands compulsory life jackets after boat mishap

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Benue-SEMA, has called for the compulsory wearing of life jackets by passengers and operators on the state’s waterways following a boat accident that claimed three lives and left eight people missing.

The agency made the demand after conducting an assessment of Saturday’s boat mishap at the River Katsina-Ala crossing point in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.

According to the assessment, the ill-fated boat was carrying 107 passengers and 38 Bajaj motorcycles when it overturned while conveying people back from a funeral.

Benue-SEMA said 11 passengers were initially declared missing after the accident. However, three of them have since been confirmed dead, while search efforts are ongoing for the remaining eight.

The agency also disclosed that 10 of the 38 motorcycles involved in the incident had been recovered, leaving 28 motorcycles still to be retrieved.

The Executive Secretary of Benue-SEMA, James Iorpuu, represented by the agency’s Head of Administration, Samuel Atii, led officials to the affected community as part of the response and assessment exercise.

During the visit, the team engaged members of the Tombo Canoe Maritime Union of Nigeria, officials of Buruku Local Government Council, the boat operator and rescue personnel.

Traditional rulers and other community stakeholders were also consulted to gather information about the incident and the ongoing rescue operation.

Following the assessment, Iorpuu urged the Benue State Government to establish and enforce a law making life jackets mandatory for everyone travelling on the state’s waterways.

He further advocated sanctions for boat operators and other waterway users who fail to comply with the proposed safety regulation.

Meanwhile, rescue teams have continued their search for the eight passengers still missing, while efforts are also being made to recover the remaining 28 motorcycles from the river.