Ferry operations return to Lokoja

Activities were halted in the middle of 2020 as the river flooded, which made it dangerous for ferry operations

Normal boat operations have returned in Lokoja following the receding of water on River Niger in Lokoja.

Activities were halted in the middle of 2020 as the river flooded, which made it dangerous for ferry operations.

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The Chairman of Ganaja branch of the operators, comrade Siyaka Musa, who spoke to North Central Trust, disclosed that activities at the area have picked up with both passengers and operators enjoying their trips.

Musa said both operators and passengers have no fear of taking a trip unlike a few months ago when it was too risky to operate.

He recalled that the flooding had led to chaotic scenes when some illegal operators decided to cash on the situation to extort passengers.

Musa said amateur boat operators  from neighbouring villages invaded the area operating without due regard to the safety of their passengers.

“These operators, with their faulty boats and canoes, ignored all rules governing maritime operations on the River Niger, which resulted in many accidents,’’ he said.

Musa appealed to the state government to grant soft loans to his members to enable them improve on their operations.

The loan, he said, would help the operators to purchase new boats or refurbish old ones to avoid accidents.