November 28, (THEWILL) — A boat accident along the Onyoma–Ekowe route in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has claimed the life of one passenger.
According to accounts from local boat operators and the Maritime Union, the victim was identified as Mr. Luke Wonamah, an indigene of Okanga community in Iyala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The ill-fated boat, reportedly overloaded, was travelling from Onyoma to Ekowe last Thursday when it capsized around 2pm. Wonamah, a still cameraman hired to cover a burial ceremony, reportedly fell out of the vessel and drowned.
Chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union, Bayelsa State chapter, Ogoniba Ipigansi, who confirmed the incident, reiterated the urgent need for river transport operators and commuters to obey maritime safety protocols to prevent avoidable tragedies.
According to him, the vessel violated established safety procedures, though rescuers managed to save other passengers.
“We have people stationed at every water point. The beach masters were the ones who rushed in to rescue the others when the incident occurred. The boat carried 12 passengers and one was initially missing. We intensified our search and later recovered the remaining person,” he said.
“This particular boat did not load at the approved point. It cut corners and loaded improperly, and it had no life jackets on board.”
Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, Hon. Target Isaiah Segibo, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Ayebaitari Easterday, condemned the continuous disregard for government safety directives by marine vessel operators who sail without proper safety measures or life-saving gear for passengers.
Segibo urged security agencies to investigate the incident, determine whether the boat handler was certified to operate on the waterways, and verify if safety equipment was provided at the time of the mishap.
He warned that unqualified operators pose grave safety risks and potential environmental harm, stressing that the council would not tolerate such negligence.
Segibo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, cautioning that any marine vessel operator found flouting safety rules would be arrested and prosecuted, with their vessels impounded as a deterrent to others.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
