•Boat mishap
A tragic boat accident has claimed the life of one person, along the Onyoma/ Ekowe route of the Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State.
According to details gathered from local boat operators and Maritime union, the victim of the incident is identified as one Mr. Luke Wonamah, an indigene of Okanga community of Iyala Local Government Area of Cross River State, reports Saturday Independent.
It was also gathered that the boat, which was reportedly overloaded with passengers, was heading from Onyoma to Ekowe last Thursday, when it capsised at about 2pm when the deceased, a still camera man hired to cover a burial ceremony, fell out of the boat and drowned.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union Bayelsa State, Ogoniba Ipigansi, who confirmed the incident, reemphasised the need for river craft operators and commuters to adhere strictly to maritime safety protocols to avoid fatalities.
According to him, the unfortunate passenger boat broke protocols, and the deceased has been recovered.
“We have people at every water point. The beach masters were the ones who rushed to rescue the rest of the people when the incident happened. The boat carried 12 passengers and one was missing. Later on, we intensified our search and recovered the remaining person.
“This very boat didn’t load at the appropriate quarters, but cut corners to load inappropriately, and does not have life jackets on board.”
The Council Chairman, Target Isaiah Segibo, in a statement issued through his Press Secretary, Ayebaitari Easterday, frowned at the noncompliance of government order by drivers of marine vessels who sail the waterways without recourse to safety measures and providing safety gears for their passengers.
