Operators and commuters of marine transport along the Marine Base -Okrika route have given commendation to the Chairman, Okrika Local Government Area, of Rivers State, Philemon Kingoli for his efforts at making marine transport safe, through the donation of life vests to association.
A member of the Okrika Boat Drivers Association who pleaded anonymity gave the commendation in a chat with The Tide, Wednesday at Okrika.
He noted, while commending the WALGA boss that the move was long overdue.
The boat driver stated that it was unfortunate that two children had to die in a boat accident before the donation was made.
According to him, ‘we thank the chairman for giving us these life vests, but unfortunately the two children have died before this donation”.
He lamented that the association had in the past made appeals to the provision of life vests for the safety of passengers travelling on that route.
On his part, a commuter, Deresoma Nonju, also thanked the chairman for the gesture and expressed the hope that more well-meaning people in the LGA would donate more life vests.
He noted, however, that there is need for the provision of children’s life vests, saying, “they are the most-at-risk in the event of any boat accident.”
Nonju charged boat drivers against overload on the waterways and advised commuters to always obey the instructions of the drivers as “they are in the best position to understand the tide and movement of the wind. Passengers should learn to obey the drivers when they are instructed on where to sit”.
The chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Philemon Kingoli had at the weekend donated some life vests to the Okrika Boat Drivers Association, saying that the move was to ensure safety along the water ways in the area.

Tonye Nria-Dappa