The Kogi government has launched an investigation into the cause of the death of five people whose car plunged into a canal on Friday.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The state government promised to cooperate with the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) to improve the safety of people working around the canal and passengers traveling along the routes around the canals.
He confirmed that the state government has received preliminary reports from the Yagba West Local Government authorities who moved swiftly to salvage the situation to no avail, and promised to communicate her observations and recommendations to the authorities of the LNRBDA to avert future occurrence.
“We cannot afford to lose the lives of our citizens to such avoidable deaths,” the statement said.
The state government condoled with the families that lost their loved ones and the people of Yagba West and Yagba East Local Government Areas over the unfortunate and sad accident.
Fanwo confirmed that the state government will liaise with relevant authorities to offer support to the victims’ families.
“The Kogi government, under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has since launched investigations into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident,” it said.
The victims drowned on Friday after their car plunged into the canal of Omi Dam along River Niger in Yagba West LGA.
Only one person in the car survived as he reportedly swam to safety and was helped by a fisherman, who drowned.
Among the dead were three ladies and two men, including the fisherman.
