The Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state was thrown into mourning on Wednesday when a wooden cargo boat carrying passengers and goods reportedly exploded, leaving 20 dead.
The tragic incident was reported to have occurred on Wednesday along the Ezetu 1 community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, LGA, of Bayelsa.
ASP Musa Muhammed, the spokesman for the state police command who confirmed the incident on Thursday said: “The local boat travelling from Ekeni community in Southern Ijaw to Yenagoa had a mishap and sank, about 20 persons were reported to have lost their lives. Efforts are ongoing to recover their corpses.”
Mr Ogoniba Ipigansi, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa Chapter, also confirmed the incident and said that a rescue team of the union, consisting of two speed boats, had been dispatched to the scene to assist the passengers on board.
He said: “The boat left Ezetu 1 community around 3 pm as they were coming to Okubie.
“The onboard engine they were using got fire and exploded, so the boat got burnt and sank. Some of the people onboard were drowned in the water, there was no network at that point to reach the rescue team from Yenagoa because that wooden boat always takes about 18 hours to reach Yenagoa from that point, while speedboat takes like 5 hours.”
A speed boat operator, Mr. Augustine Amayoro who was part of the rescue team said he rescued 10 persons from the scene, while other passengers stranded in the nearby fishing camp.
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The State Governor, Duoye Diri has expressed sadness over the tragic boat mishap.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah in a statement noted that “Governor Diri has directed the relevant government agencies, including security agencies, to collaborate in the search-and-rescue efforts and ensure the recovery of all missing persons.”
Chairperson of the Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, comrade Odede Dinikpete said the high number of casualties is due to the failure of boat operators to adhere to safety protocols, particularly the wearing of life jackets.
She urged the state government to intensify efforts to connect more coastal communities by road, highlighting the need to reduce the frequent loss of lives on the waterways.
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