As part of efforts to tackle boat mishaps and loss of lives in rivers, the Gombe State government has inaugurated its first-ever marine transport service and provided life jackets for boat passengers.

The inauguration took place in Kupto village, Funakaye Local Government Area of the state, along the Upper River Gongola.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the state commissioner for works, housing and transportation, Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, urged passengers and boat operators to prioritise safety and adhere strictly to all operational guidelines.

He warned against boarding boats without life jackets and advised operators to avoid night journeys, citing safety concerns.

Kallamu reiterated the Governor Inuwa Yahaya administration’s commitment to harnessing all available modes of transportation for the benefit of citizens, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

“His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has assured that more boats would be provided to Kupto and other riverbank communities to further enhance safe water travel across the state”, he said.

In a goodwill message, Dr. Ibrahim Baba Ibrahim, the State Coordinator of N-HYPPADEC, represented by Abdullahi Muhammad, stated that the commission had also supplied over 700 life jackets to the state, underscoring its commitment to ensuring passenger safety on the waterways.

Also speaking, Nana Asma’u Jika, Manager of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Gombe-Yola Area Office, represented by Dahiru Inuwa, provided safety tips and demonstrated the correct use of life jackets.

She emphasised that, in the event of a boat mishap, life jackets could keep passengers afloat for up to six hours while awaiting rescue.

The deputy chairman of Funakaye LGA, who represented the chairman, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, expressed appreciation to the state government and its partners for making water transportation safer and more accessible.

They pledged to ensure proper use and maintenance of the boat and affirmed their commitment to promoting safety on the waterways.

Our correspondent reports that the state government provided the newly introduced modern boat in partnership with National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) with a view to easing transportation challenges for riverine communities in the area.