The Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa, Chief Target Segibo, has urged relevant authorities to institute and implement stiffer penalties in the nation’s inland water transportation sub-sector.
Segibo said this in Yanegoa on Thursday during an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said the measure would minimise incidences of boat mishap which usually claim lives.
NAN recalls that a boat ferrying passengers from Ekeni in Southern Ijaw to Yenagoa on Wednesday, which exploded leading to the death of 20 out of 60 persons on board.
In a reaction to the development, Segibo called on Maritime Union Officers, Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy, to ensure stringent safety measures in the maritime transport sector.
He urged them to always inspect compliance of boat operators to maritime safety rules.
“The ill-fated news of the death of 20 persons in a boat accident in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area is a great loss to family members of the victims and the Local Government Area in general,” Segibo said.
The LGA Chairman, while expressing grief over the ugly incident, warned operators of marine transport in the area to place utmost value on the safety of lives and property.
He urged them to prioritise safety by providing life jackets to all passengers and ensure that their vessels were in good condition before every journey.
Segibo called on the Maritime Union Officers and men of the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy to always check particulars of boat operators to confirm their compliance to maritime safety rules.
He said that such procedures would avert and prevent avoidable boat accidents in future.
He commended security agents in the area for their timely actions in curbing crime in the LGA and other parts, which reduced the crime rate in recent times. (NAN)
