Sokoto boat mishap: Rep. Gorau urges FG to desilt Goronyo Dam to avert recurrence of disaster
Sokoto boat mishap: Rep. Gorau urges FG to desilt Goronyo Dam to avert recurrence of disaster 
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The member representing Goronyo and Gada Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bashir Gorau, has called on the Federal Government to urgently desilt Goronyo Dam to prevent a recurrence of boat mishaps in Sokoto State.
This follows a recent boat accident in Gorau village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State that claimed no fewer than 65 lives and left many others missing.
In a statement on Monday, Rep. Gorau expressed deep sorrow over the incident and commiserated with families of the victims and the people of Goronyo, Gada and Sokoto State at large.
The lawmaker further decried the recurrence of boat mishaps along the route of the dam, especially during the peak of the annual rainy season around August and September.
He said the persistent silting of Goronyo Dam has made the waterways shallow and dangerous, a situation compounded during the rains when water levels rise and currents become stronger.
Gorau noted that desilting the dam would not only make navigation safer for riverine communities but would also boost irrigation, fishing and dry-season farming activities in Goronyo and Gada.
“The Federal Government, through relevant agencies, should as a matter of urgency commence the desilting of Goronyo Dam.
” This will save lives and protect the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on the dam*,” Gorau said.
He further urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)and the Sokoto State Government to provide immediate relief materials to victims and survivors of the mishap.
Rep. Gorau also called on boat operators to ensure the use of life jackets and avoid overloading to minimize accidents.
