…Steer clear of night sea journeys, LG boss warns residents
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has expressed his deepest grief over the unfortunate boat accident that claimed many lives along the Andoni – Bonny waterway on Tuesday evening.
The governor in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Boniface Onyedi on Wednesday, sympathised with the families of the victims, assuring that his administration would ensure that traveling along the sea routes becomes safer for residents of the state.
Fubara said, “I commiserate and condole with families of the victims of the boat accident that led to the loss of lives, and near death experienced by our brothers and sisters that were involved in the boat mishap.
“It is indeed a very unfortunate and sad incident and we pray that God shall give all of them the strength to bear the loss and speedy recovery to those who survived.
“As a government, we will continue to work to ensure that such threats against safe traveling on our sea routes are tackled.”
The accident, it was learnt that about 20 passengers from Ngo town, Ataba, Isiama and other Andoni communities that boarded the ill-fated boat are feared dead, while scores were still unaccounted for.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Dr. Erastus Awortu, has described the news as disturbing, warning residents of the area to steer clear of night sea journeys.
Awortu, who called on boat operators to always adhere strictly to safety guidelines, disclosed that upon his receipt of the news, he immediately dispatched a rescue team to the scene to salvage the situation.
He said, “We received with rude shock and deep pain a disturbing report that over 20 persons from Andoni are feared dead in boat mishap involving two Andoni/Bonny-bound boats which occurred within the Andoni waterways on Tuesday January, 9, 2024.”
“Upon receiving the sad development, we immediately dispatched our team to join the first responders on rescue mission at the scene of the incident in a bid to salvage the situation.
“We are closely monitoring the situation to offer further support especially to give the survivors necessary medical attention and recover the remains of the dead from the Sea.
“Our hearts go out to the families and communities of victims of this unfortunate disaster especially Ngo Town, Ataba, Isiama and other communities whose loved ones were involved in the boat mishap.
Continuing, Awortu said, “We share in their pain and trauma, our prayers and thoughts are with them in this moment of grief.
“While we bemoan the boat mishap which came at a time when our people were still basking in the mood of a successful festive season in Andoni, we call on operators of water transportation in Andoni to ensure strict compliance of all passengers to safety rules.
“We also warn the operators to desist from embarking on night journeys on the sea.”
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