Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Wednesday, donated 20 motorised boats and 1,000 life jackets to riverine communities across 10 local government areas.
Aliyu said the move was aimed at curbing boat mishaps and making water transportation safer.
The benefiting local governments include Goronyo, Wurno, Shagari, Sabon Birni, Wamakko, Kebbe, Rabah, Isa, Tambuwal, and Silame.
He warned boat operators against overloading and directed local government chairmen to ensure proper management of the boats.
Aliyu said, “Today marks another milestone in our resolve to protect our people. These boats and life jackets will go a long way in reducing cases of canoe mishaps and ensuring safer transportation across our waterways.
“We have invested huge resources—taxpayers’ money- in these facilities. They must be protected and used in the best interest of our rural dwellers.”
Aliyu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Federal Inland Waterways Authority for their continued support, pledging to sustain policies that will safeguard lives and improve resilience in flood-prone areas.
In the same vein, the Peoples Democratic Party in Sokoto State sympathised with communities devastated by the recent flooding from the Goronyo Dam.
In a statement on Wednesday, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sanyinnawal, described the flooding as “devastating” and urged both the Federal and State Governments to provide urgent relief in the form of food, shelter, and medical supplies for displaced families.
The party’s appeal followed an assessment by the National Emergency Management Agency, which revealed that heavy rains submerged more than ten communities in Goronyo and Wurno Local Government Areas.
The floods destroyed farmlands planted with onions, rice, millet, sorghum, and pepper, displacing thousands of residents, though no lives were lost.
Affected communities in Goronyo included Kojiyo, Tsohon Garin Doli, Balla, Tuluske, Birjingo, Kwakwazo, Shinaka, and Mallawa, while in Wurno, Marafa, Tunga, Lahodi Gidan Bango, Dimbiso, Chacho, and Magarya were among those hit hardest.
The PDP pressed for rapid deployment of health teams, desilting of major dams, and long-term flood control measures such as early warning systems and evacuation plans.
