The Okrika Speedboat Owners Association has called on the Rivers State Government and other relevant agencies to help clean the waterways of hard objects and cellophane bags to ensure human safety and easy navigation.
Chairman of the Association, Chief Sunday Opeya made the appeal in a chat with our correspondent in his office at Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area.
Opeya, while reacting to the recent boat misharp along Okrika-Abuloma axis that led to the death of two children, said the incident could have been avoided if the engine did not have contact with an object in the water
He noted with regret over the loss of life, but also frowned at the indiscriminate packing of borges and tug-boats, as well as the spate of abandoned dredging pipes which also constitute great danger to marine activities.
The Association’s chairman, on behalf of his members, expressed sympathy with the family of the deceased and thanked them for their understanding and maturity which made the burial of the children hitch-free.
Opeya, who lamented recent boat accidents in the area, hinted that on June 22, 2018 a passenger boat with 22 passengers on board hit an abandoned dredging pipe along Abuloma axis. It took the help of the Navy to rescue all passengers alive.
According to him, similar incident occurred the following week at Abobie, in Abuloma axis .
Meanwhile, he said several attempts have been made for the clearance of abandoned dredging pipes and other objects with no positive result.
“We have hired some divers to remove some of the abandoned dredging pipes but we still appeal to the government and other relevant authorities to come to our aid to make life safer for us and our passengers.”

Collins Barasimeye