The Benue State House of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to collaborate with other concerned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to establish a task force to regulate boat operations on all rivers in the state.
The House also mandated the Taskforce to register and license all boats and operators on the rivers, enforce compulsory use of life jackets and strict passenger load limits, conduct routine safety inspections and mandatory operator training, establish approved jetties, navigation routes, and emergency rescue services to prevent future occurrences of boat mishaps
The House gave the directives during Tuesday’s plenary held at the Benue State House of Assembly, Makurdi, when the Member Representing Ukum State Constituency, Honourable Ezra Nyiyongo, moved a motion of urgent public importance on the tragic boat mishap involving secondary school students from Ukum Constituency at River Buruku Crossing Point.
The House also directed relevant House Committees to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and report their findings to the House.
Earlier, Hon. Nyiyongo noted that River Buruku serves as a major transportation route for many rural communities, conveying students, traders, and other commuters due to the absence of safe and functional road networks along the axis. He stated that boat transportation along the river is largely unregulated, with little or no provision for life jackets, safety enforcement, or monitoring by relevant authorities
He expressed concern that on January 19, 2026, six secondary school students lost their lives while nine others were hospitalized when a wooden boat conveying them across River Buruku capsized.
Seconding the motion, Member Representing Tarka Constituency, Hon. Manger Manger, sympathized with Ukum Constituency for the loss of students who were returning to school. He called on the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to establish a task force to monitor all boat operators and provide life jackets to all passengers.
On his part, Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, added that the Ministries of Transport and Marine and Blue Economy should ensure thorough monitoring of the rivers in the state.
Speaker, Right Honourable Alfred Emberga, called on the House Standing Committee on the Ministries concerned to ensure all the resolutions of the House are complied with appropriately.
The House observed a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased students and sent its condolences, promising to visit the affected families and communities.
