The Zamfara government on Tuesday announced the donation of N20 million to the families of the victims of the recent boat accident in the Uban Dawaki community, Gummi Local Government Area.

The deputy governor, Mani Mummuni, announced the donation during a sympathy visit to the Emir of Gummi, retired Justice Lawal Hassan, and the families of the victims in Gumi.

Mr Mummuni said the gesture was to cushion the hardship encountered by the victims’ families.

He said Governor Dauda Lawal directed that the amount be disbursed to the affected families.

The deputy governor assured of the state government’s commitment to preventing the mishap from reoccurring.

He said the state government would collaborate with the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to provide lifejackets in all the water transport stations in the state.

“Experts will also be deployed to sensitise operators as well as the users on prevention and safety measures.

“The use of lifejackets would be made compulsory for every passenger and operator. Violators of this measures would be sanctioned accordingly,” Mr Mummun said.

In his remarks, the emir appreciated the state government’s gesture, saying it was timely.

He said the idea of enforcing the use of lifejackets was very critical and advised the government not to spare anyone who failed to comply with the directive.

The emir said that 13  bodies had been recovered while seven people involved in the accident were rescued.

 The emir said 20 persons, not 40, were involved in the accident.

(NAN)