Speed boat operators ply
ing  Okrika to Port Harcourt have lamented over the harassment by Military Personnel and the indiscriminate parking of barges and tug-boats.
The operators who said this in an interview with The Tide Correspondent at Marine Base Port Harcourt yesterday said that the activities of these people and companies are posing a great challenge to their business and even endanger the lives of their passengers.
According to them, it has become imperative that government and other relevant authorities should come to their aid in order to safe them from unnecessary embarrassments adding that there is the need to also save the lives of their fellow boat drivers and make the business environment conducive.
A commercial speedboat driver, Miebaka Alikeri said “the NLNG Service boats, the indiscriminate parking of barges and tug-boats at Abuloma waterfront and emptying of dust-bins into the river is a big problem that should be looked into by the authorities to ease their operations.”
Another driver, Tamunobarasinpiri Amangi lamented over the activities of the Naval personnel at Abuloma, as well as that of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at Marine Base.
Another Operator, Mr Lamunotonye Michael Obipi expressed worry as barges and tug-boats parked at the waterways along Abuloma pose a great danger to the lives and property of their passengers, adding that a seven –year old boy died as a result of the indiscriminate parking when their boat capsized while avoiding the barges.
Obipi also berated the activities of the Naval personnel and the Army in the area, stating that despite the good relationship existing between us,  “ they still molest our drivers when NLNG boats and those doing illegal bunkering were allowed to speed off for reasons best known to them.
According to him, one of their drivers, Wilson Kalio was yesterday given the beaten of his life by the Navy at Abuloma with an allegation that he did not slow down when he supposed to do so, adding that the victim is receiving treatment in a private clinic.
He also disclosed that early this year, NLNG boat on speed capsized one of their speed boats but luckily no life was lost. He called on the government to set up a taskforce to monitor boat operators as was the case of TIMARIV for road transport.
Since the Okrik sea route is peaceful, they should allow us to operate till 10.00 pm and the military should co-operate with us while barges and tug-boats owners at Abuloma should re-park their marine equipments to avoid unnecessary accident,” he said.
In his contribution, Owunari Biriowu said “I am not happy with the activities of the Military Men. They confront passengers with loads, drivers with 200 Horse power engine boat were cautioned why they should use such double engines. In short, they should co-operate with us to ease our marine business as law abiding citizens.”