By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has said his government will take care of medical bills of survivors of the boat mishap in Agatu local government in which more than dozen persons lost their lives.
Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the governor in statement expressed Gov. Alia’s heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic boat accident which occurred over last weekend.
“It is sad that this incident has brought immense sorrow to our communities, and I share in your grief during this difficult time.”
While sympathizing with those who sustained varying degree of injuries from the mishap, the governor stressed that his administration is committed to ensuring they receive the necessary medical treatment and support.
“Your well-being is our priority, and we will work diligently to provide the care you need for a swift recovery.”
The Governor, in expressing his gratitude to the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for their swift show of solidarity and support during the tragedy as soon as they received the information said, “Your compassion and partnership are invaluable to us, and together we can navigate these challenging times”.
“In the light of this unfortunate incident, I will liaise with the Nigerian Navy to implement measures aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future. We must prioritize the safety of our waterways to protect our citizens. I ensure the provision of life jackets at all crossing points in the state as an immediate step. This initiative is crucial to reducing casualties to zero in the event of mishaps”, the governor promiseda.
While urging union leaders in the maritime business in the state and community officials to commence sensitization efforts among their members on the critical need for the use of life jackets, the Governor also stated, “It is imperative that we all understand the importance of safety measures while traversing our rivers.”
The who prayed for the repose of those who lost their lives, called on the state to honor the memories of the deceased by committing to safety and vigilance on our waterways, adding that, “together, we can foster a culture of safety and awareness that will help protect our people”.
