
In reaction to the recent boat mishap within Ebu and Dzakan villages respectively in Pattegi Local Government Area of Kwara State, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has urged the government to ensure a periodic safety awareness training as well as the use of life jackets and sound engines while travelling in boat.
The President General of MWUN, Comrade (Prince) Adewale Adeyanju, on behalf of his executives gave this advice while commiserating with the Kwara State Government and the families of those who lost their loved ones in the mishap.
Though the accident claimed the lives of 106 persons, it was reported that the boat had 250 passengers on board who were travelling for a wedding ceremony when it was already dark on that fateful Monday and never had their live jackets on when the boat capsized due to a faulty engine.
A statement from MWUN read: “However, we as a Union in the maritime sector really feel depressed over the sad incident which claimed lives of many as reported in the state. We are also saddened and deeply pained in our hearts as we commiserate with the families of whom loved ones were victims in the boat mishap.
“We pray that the Almighty God grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss of lives; at the same time we are urging the State Government not to relent in their campaign on the need to make sure of the use of life jackets each time the people embark on water transportation within the riverine areas of the state.
“It is also very imperative that the government should carry out awareness training periodically on safety, security and protection of boat drivers and passengers, stating to them categorically the need to always travel with life jackets, with well serviced boat engines, and avoiding overloading of passengers with total restrictions of night travels on water; as movement of boats must be prohibited from 1800hours every day as proper adherence to these waterways laws will guarantee safety and security of persons and boats on water transportation.
“On this note, I want to use this medium to pray for the state over the incident and for the souls of the departed, that may God grant them eternal rest in peace.”