Seven persons have been feared killed in a boat mishap along the Bonny waterway in Rivers state.
It was gathered that the unfortunate incident happened as a result of the careless action of the boat driver who drove against the tide.
DAILY POST reports that the Bonny waterway has recorded more boat mishaps in recent times including security challenges especially pirate attacks.
Some seafarers who spoke with newsmen at the Bille-Bonny Jetty in Port Harcourt blamed the Rivers state Government for paying lip service to the challenges of sea travelers in the state.
They said no sincere action has been taken by the government to alleviate the challenges of sea travelers in the state.
However, Commissioner for Transport, Akie Fubara has commiserated with the families of those affected in the mishap.
Fubara said the incident was avoidable just as he blamed the boat driver who rode against the tide in a bad weather.
He said the state government will begin the retraining of boat drivers who mostly drive ignorantly on the Bonny waterway.
“We have concluded plans to retrain boat drivers. We wish this never happened because we have always cautioned drivers to read the Weather before they embark on any journey.
“The Bonny waterway is not a mere sea. It is a high sea and when the weather is not clear, there is no reason why any driver should continue the journey.
“We have put all these into consideration and so we have decided to retain boat drivers to enlighten them about certain tips on seafaring,” Fubara said.
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