The Rivers state government and the Andoni local government area of the state have been thrown into mourning following the death of about 20 people in a boat mishap that occurred along the Andoni-Bonny waterways.
Though the details of the accident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday night were still sketchy, it was gathered that the incident involved two boats.
The state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed his deepest grief over the incident, describing it as an unfortunate boat mishap that led to the loss of many lives.
The governor in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Boniface Onyedi, sympathized with the families of the victims.
Fubara assured that his administration would continue to work to ensure safer water transportation in the state.
He 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 travelling on our sea routes are tackled.”
Also, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Dr. Erastus Awortu, confirmed the boat accident saying over 20 persons were feared dead.
He said: “We received with rude shock and deep pain a disturbing report that over 20 persons from Andoni are feared dead in a boat mishap involving two Andoni/Bonny-bound boats which occurred within the Andoni waterways on Tuesday 9th January 2024.
“Upon receiving the sad development, we immediately dispatched our team to join the first responders on a rescue mission at the scene of the incident in a bid to salvage the situation”.
Awortu said they were 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”.
He said: “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.
“We share in their pain and trauma, our prayers and thoughts are with them in this moment of grief.
We will do whatever we can as a Local Government to reduce the burden of grief of the bereaved families and communities.
“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 sea.”
