By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
No fewer than seven persons have lost their lives in a boat mishap in Zhigiri village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state when the boat they were travelling in to one of the neighbouring villages suddenly capsized.
The incident occurred late Sunday afternoon (Christmas Boxes Day) when the villagers, inside the boat as the only means of transport since the construction of Zungeru Dam, headed to Dnaweto community in a neighboring village in the hinterland for a naming ceremony.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Correspondent learnt that movements of goods and services between villagers in Dnaweto and Zhigiri, prior to the construction of Zungeru Dam, was by land or road transportation because the terrain is dry and now motorable after the rains.
The Zungeru Dam, expected to bring about development to the two villages, is now a blessing in disguise as they count their losses losing about seven persons, including a man, Babangida Mua'zu, his two wives and a son in the boat mishap.
Meanwhile, the community has solicited for the intervention of the HYPPADEC, Niger state government and well spirited individuals and corporate organisations to provide the community with life jackets to avoid further loss of lives.
A statement by, Salisu M Sabo (Esq), Spokesperson Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA), is calling on the HYPPADEC, to, as matter of urgency, provide safety measures such as life jackets to help the people adapt to their new way of life and to prevent the future deaths.
The Coalition wants HYPPADEC to assist them in providing safety measures similar to what was done by the commission to Warra Community of Kebbi state with similar boat mishap that claimed several lives.
NEWSLEADER Correspondent reports that some corpses were yet to be recovered from the river as at the time of this report. NNL.