TheCable

The Taraba government says over 20 bodies have been recovered in the boat mishap that occurred in Mayo-Renewo in Ardo-Kola LGA of the state.

On October 28, a boat carrying passengers returning from Mayo-Renewo market, capsized in Taraba.

The Taraba Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had on Monday confirmed the death of 14 persons in the mishap.

Saviour Noku, Taraba commissioner for special duties and social development, announced the development on Saturday during a visit to the community where the accident occurred.

Speaking with reporters, Aminu Alkali, deputy governor of Taraba, said the incident was caused by barricades on the waterways by fishermen.

The deputy governor instructed that all passengers must put on life jackets before boarding boats, adding that manifest of passengers onboard boats should be taken before setting out.

He also instructed that within seven days, all the barricades on the waterways should be cleared.

“Our visit here is to ensure three principal issues: to stop overloading, to ensure that there will be no more night travelling and the canoes or boats must have passengers manifest so that whatever happens we can easily identify one’s relations,” Alkali said.

“They should also ensure they have life jackets for passengers for protection because not all persons can swim.

“The colossal loss witnessed in the state is regrettable and the government has directed that the barricades be removed within seven days.”