Riverine communities of Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski Local Government of Kebbi south senatorial zone in Kebbi State, get two Ambulance boats and a 20-sitter passenger boat provided by the Deputy Senate Leader representing Kebbi South senatorial zone.

Senator Ibn Bala Na'Allah had in February 2018 drawn the attention of the Senate on the recurring boat mishaps in his constituency, saying more lives have been lost than in Benue State.

Na’Allah, while presenting the 20-sitter passenger boats and the other two Ambulance boats (already provided and put to use since 2016) to representatives of riverine villages at the Yauri river bank yesterday, said they are to ease passengers and emergency medical transport of patients including pregnant women and children to hospitals.

“The boats are to serve the transport needs of passengers and patients including pregnant women and children of riverine communities across Yauri Emirate in Kebbi South and neighboring communities of Niger State,” he said.

Represented by Jabir Abubakar, the Senator said 60 live jackets were already provided for the use of passengers in lieu of the incessant boat mishap that claimed many lives in the area.

While felicitating with the people of the zone on Eid-el-Fitr, the senator called on the riverine communities to ensure proper care and use of the boats and live jackets.

Aliyu Gado, Secretary of Yauri Emirate Council, when contacted said since 1999, they have never had a legislator that brought development to the emirate like Senator Na’Allah.

“Not only ambulance and passenger boats, Senator Na’Allah has also renovated and equipped all eight General hospitals across the seven Local Government that made up his constituency, he has provided portable water, built schools, town hall, provided a bus, ambulances, international fish market as well jetties across four riverine communities in Yauri emirate.

“We are however appealing for provision of additional water reticulation units to cover areas that are still suffering from acute shortage of potable water as well as provide more safer water transport for our people,” the emirate secretary added.

The Senate had urged the Ministry of Transport through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to immediately conduct a survey on the stretch of River Niger with a view to putting safe navigational aid in place.

The call was sequel to a motion sponsored in 2017 by Senator Na’Allah on the incessant boat mishaps in the area.

The Senate, in its resolution, also urged the Federal Government to assist the communities in blasting stones and trees in the River that hinder safe navigation.

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