The need for Rivers
State Government to provide gun boats at strategic creeks and waterways in the State has again been stressed.
The Beach Master, Bonny Marine Transport Association, Comrade Henry Jumbo, who made the call on the heels of the recent attack on a Port Harcourt bound speedboat from Bonny along Dutch Island said the need became necessary in order to forestall future occurrences.
Jumbo said with gunboats on patrol at some creeks and waterways within the riverine  communities in the state, the incessant rate of sea pirates attack on passenger speed boats would be reduced, pointing out the absence of such security arrangement had been responsible for such attacks.
He reiterated that as there were security patrol vans on land, the sea routes should also be fortified with sophisticated gunboats to checkmate activities of these hoodlums, stressing that government should give protection of lives and properties priority attention.
The beach master also noted that many casualties had been recorded in recent times and human lives, properties and money carted away by the pirates and further appealed to the authorities not to hesitate in providing well equipped security outfit to assist the marine police in ensuring that sea pirates activities within the riverine communities of the state were checked to the barest minimum, before it is too late.

Collins Barasimeye