Boat mishap: Kwara Speaker leads delegation to Gbajigbo village
…assures victims and residents of government support
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has led a high-powered government delegation to Gbajigbo village to express condolences following the tragic boat mishap that claimed several lives.
The delegation first visited the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar Bagidi Kiyaru IV, to deliver the state’s condolences. During the visit, Rt. Hon. Danladi-Salihu conveyed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s deep sorrow over the incident.
“The Governor is deeply saddened by this unfortunate event, and he has sent us to personally convey his heartfelt sympathies to the Emir, the victims, and the entire Gbajigbo community,” the Speaker stated. “We also want to gather first-hand information about the mishap to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future.”
Danladi-Salihu urged the residents, especially those who travel by boat, to prioritize safety by wearing life jackets provided by the government and following established safety protocols.
“We must emphasize the importance of life jackets and other safety measures to avoid the recurrence of such tragic accidents. We implore all sea travelers in Gbajigbo and across the state to use the life jackets that have been made available,” he added.
In response, the Emir of Kaiama expressed appreciation for Governor AbdulRazaq’s swift action and thanked the delegation for their visit, offering prayers for their safe travels.
After the visit to the Emir, the Speaker and the delegation proceeded to Gbajigbo, where they met with survivors of the boat accident and visited the departure point of the ill-fated boat.
During his visit, Danladi-Salihu paid homage to the village head, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman, and interacted with community leaders who praised Governor AbdulRazaq for his prompt response and compassionate leadership.
In an interactive session with community stakeholders, the Speaker announced a cash donation of Two Million Naira to cover medical expenses for the survivors and provide assistance to the families of the deceased. He also assured the community that the government, through the State Emergency Management Agency, would extend further support.
Danladi-Salihu also promised that the basic health center and primary school in Gbajigbo would soon be refurbished to improve their services.
The delegation, which included various state and local government officials, expressed their solidarity with the grieving community and reiterated the government’s commitment to providing ongoing support during this difficult time.
The boat mishap, which has cast a pall over the community, prompted an outpouring of condolences and commitments from government officials to ensure better safety measures and improved infrastructure in the affected area.