Kogi Flood: Ferry operators, scavengers do brisk business

Passengers and a vehicle being ferried across River Niger
| credits: Success Nwogu

Ferry operators and scavengers are doing brisk business as a result of the flood which devastated no fewer than nine local government areas in Kogi State.

Our correspondent who visited the Marine area of Lokoja on Wednesday observed over 20 boats being used to ferry stranded commuters.

Also vehicles were being ferried by the boat operators from flooded areas to the hinterland.

One of the community leaders of Kpatamusa Area Cantonment, Mr. Ndababo Idris, told our correspondent that vehicles’ owners paid N10,000 for each vehicle ferried while passenger paid N400 each.

He said he had ferried about 25,000 people and 3,000 vehicles since he commenced the business about four days ago.

Idris said, “The boats are here because of the flood. We have never experienced this kind of thing in this town ever since I was born. The boats are here to ferry people who are going to Abuja.

“We help those who have important appointment or business transaction in Abuja ferry their vehicles from flooded areas to the hinterland. “We have taken advantage of the flood to assist them. There was a lawyer that came and said he had an important case at Abuja and if he did not get there, they would strike out his case.  He said he was willing to pay any amount.

“On Tuesday, we ferried over 2,000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from Lokoja to the other side so that they could go on the pilgrimage. We started this business about one week ago. We ferried over 25,000 people and 3,000 vehicles.”

One of the boat operators, who declined to give his name, said he embarked on the business to make money and also help stranded passengers.

He stated that though they were not happy with the flood, they had to devise a means of helping stranded travellers as well as making money.

One of the passengers, Joy Morenike, said though the journey was scary, she had no alternative.

Our correspondent also observed some young people who were scavenging some of the abandoned property.

One of them who spoke to our correspondent but did not give his name said those property had been abandoned by their owners.

“We should not allow them to be totally destroyed.  We could use them for some things and make some money from them.  ‘Man must wak’. When the opportunity comes, so long as it is not stealing, I must  use it well,” he said.