This was disclosed by the Taraba State Commissioner for Special Duties and Social Development, Saviour Noku, on Saturday,
Noku disclosed this during a condolence visit to families of the victims of the unfortunate incident in the Binneri community of Karim Lamido LGA.
The state deputy governor, Aminu Alkali, while condoling the families of the victims and the people of the community, expressed sadness over the development and announced a government ban on night journeys on waterways across the state to forestall a reoccurrence.
While blaming the incident on the barricades along the waterways by fishermen in attempts to catch fish, Alkali instructed that all barricades on the waterways be cleared within seven days.
“This sad development is unacceptable. This incident, we were told was caused by barricades on the waterways by fishermen.
“Government has, therefore, banned all night journeys on the waterways, and all the barricades on the waterways must be cleared within seven days.
“In addition, all passengers must put on life jackets before boarding boats in the state. And henceforth, manifest of passengers onboard boats must be taken before setting out,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that a boat carrying 104 passengers mostly women and children capsized in River Benue on October 28 while returning from the Mayo-Renewo fish market in Ardo-Kola LG to Binneri.
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