Benue boat mishap: N-HYPPADEC comforts bereaved families with aid

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Following the tragic boat mishap that claimed 11 lives in Daudu community, Mbalagh Council Ward of Makurdi Local Government Area, the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, N-(HYPPADEC has donated 50 safety kits to the people.
Recall that, last Saturday, a boat conveying several mourners from Wadata part of Makurdi to Daudu Mbalagh, capsized on River Benue owing to heavy storm.
The incident necessitated the prompt visit of the Managing Director N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa who led a delegation to console as well as give succor to the community
Yelwa also donated the sum of N1.6million to bereaved families and the community.
Addressing the people and community leaders, he commiserated with them over the loss, explaining that he is in the area to offer support to the people.
He decried at the non use of life jackets by members of the community, cautioning them against traveling late on waterways and to desist from travelling on the waterways without safety guards.
He also, urged them to be always conscious of activities on the river and desist from reckless driving on waterways in order to avert reoccurrence of the tragedy.
He said, “We are giving the community 50 safety jackets and in a short time more will come. I advise everyone to use it whenever you are crossing the river.
“Please always use it and do not put your lives at risk. The government cares about your safety and you must ensure that you do not endanger your lives on the River.”
Responding to requests made by the community, Alhaji Yelwa assured them that in few days, solar-powered street lights would be mounted in the community.
“We are also, drilling a solar-powered borehole here and we will award contract for the construction of a block of three classrooms to ensure that you have a functional school in this community, we are doing with immediate effect,” he promised.
“This is part of the intervention of the government to support you in your time of need. Of the 2,300 communities under the N-HYPPADEC your community is the current one receiving this immediate intervention and we will urge you to continue to be good citizens,” he stated.
The Managing Director also led his delegation for on-the-spot assessment of the dilapidated Normadic Primary School, Daudu, Mbalagh assuring that a new structure would be erected to help children receive formal education.
“Contract for the construction of a block of three classrooms will be awarded to ensure that you have a functional school in the community,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the interventions would encourage them “to be more loyal to the government of the day and continue to respect your own lives by abiding to marine policies aimed at saving your lives.
“We also urge you to caution you boat drivers to desist from travelling at night and taking substances that would endanger their lives and that of their passengers.”
Addresing the people on the use of the waterways, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Iyaghigba lauded the MD N-HYPPADEC for personally visiting the community.
The Commissioner who demonstrated how to use the safety jacket pointed out that the tragedy was avoidable assuring that everything will be done to avert a repeat.
He appealed to the N-HYPPADEC to consider building a jetty in the community while acknowledging the receipt of a boat from the Commission promising to take a request for another boat and construction of a health facility for the community, to Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Iyaghigba reiterated that “it is an offence to operate on the waterways outside the prescribed time of 6am to 6pm” warning that violators would not be spared.
“We must value our lives and support the government to protect the lives and property of the people,” he said.
Earlier the Chief of Hausa Community in Benue state, Sheik Sanni Imam flanked by the Chief of Daudu Village, Abubakar Idris and Agatu community in Daudu, Abubakar Gambo, recalled the tragedy, lamenting that majority of the victims were women.
He disclosed that the peaceful community have been mourning since the incident averring that the victims were on their way from the burial of woman who died in the community because their was no medical facility to take care of her and before she could be moved to a health centre in town, she died.

“The woman died because we have no hospital, and after her death our people went to bury her and while on their way back, they lost their lives in the tragedy,” he said.

He commended the Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC for the visit saying, “this gesture goes to says alot about your humane disposition because others would have sent a delegation but you came yourself. This visit will help heal our pains.

“Because you are here, we will let you know that this community lacks health facility, that was why our sister died and her burial led to the tragedy. We also lack borehole, solar light and our only school has become dilapidated.

“We appeal for your intervention and because we are fishermen, cattle rearers and farmers, we also appeal that farming inputs be provided our people as being done for others to help boost food production in our community,” he added.

On the delegation of the Director General of N-HYPPADEC were the Director Engineering of the Commission. Prof Daniel Ipilakyaa, the Benue State Coordinator, Lee Ahenjir, Area Officer Agatu Area Officer, Robinson Ishaku as well as the Area Officer for Katsina-Ala Area Office, John Mbakighir among other staff.

While the Benue State Commissioner had on his team the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Charles Ikyaave his Techical Adviser, Dr. Harris Dera and others.