The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Minna Operations Office on Tuesday in Minna engaged stakeholders on measures to curb incessant boat mishaps in Niger.
Mr Hussaini Isah, Head, NEMA Minna Operations Office, said the aimed was to share expertise, experiences and valuable insights on boat mishap prevention and response strategies.
Isah reiterated the significance of effective preparedness, enforcement and response strategies in mitigating the impact of boat mishap on lives, means of livelihoods, communities and infrastructure.
“Boat mishap and other hydrological hazards have poised a significant threat to Nigeria’s economic, social and environmental well-being,” he said.
Isah stressed that relevant agencies must tackle key areas, including causes of boat accidents, enhance search and rescue operations, sensitisation campaign and enforcement of the use of life jacket.
He called for state and local governments support for community leaders to find a lasting solution to frequent boat mishaps on waterways.
Isah commended the participants, speakers and partners for their contributions, highlighting their expertise and commitment to disaster risk reduction and community resilience.
“Let us work together to build a more resilient Nigeria, where communities are better informed, better prepared and better equipped to withstand and recover from any form of emergency or boat mishap incident,” he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of NSEMA, said stakeholders had identified underwater tree stumps and inadequate distribution of life jackets as major causes of boat mishaps in the state.
Baba-Arah, represented by Alhaji Garba Salihu, Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of NSEMA, said life jackets were yet to reach the intended users, adding that they should be given directly to boat operators.
He also emphasised the need for stakeholders and partners with resources to cut underwater tree stumps during the dry season when rivers are dry, saying it would help reduce the risk of boat accidents.
The meeting brought together representatives from various agencies, including NEMA, NIWA, NSEMA and the state’s ministries of Transport and Humanitarian Affairs.
Others are NSCDC, Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Sarkin Ruwa, and Sarkin Gwata from Shiroro Local Government, among others. (NAN)
