The umbrella body of boat drivers in Bonny, the Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA), has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to intensify security along the Port Harcourt-Bonny waterways to curb incessant pirate activities on the route.
This is against the backdrop of a recent sea attack on a speed boat driver on Easter Sunday while returning to Bonny Island.
The association condemned incessant attacks and kidnapping of boat passengers and drivers in the state, describing it as an economic sabotage.
Speaking to The Tide on the development, a mariner with BMTA, Comrade Ken Dante, appealed to the Federal Government to deploy Navy and Marine Police to the routes to tackle the acts of insecurity on the waterways.
He called for regular patrol of the channels, creeks and waterways by the security agencies to curb piracy in the state.
Dante urged NIMASA to assist the BMTA and security agency by providing patrol boats to keep surveillance on the criminals.
He decried the abduction of 12 passenger boats that were dumped at the swamp by sea robbers few weeks ago.
On the Easter Sunday attack, Dante said the driver was returning from Port Harcourt when the criminals attacked him and carted away his boat, but was later released.
Dante, however, said normalcy has since returned to the route after the sad incidence.
He appealed to the youths to shun acts of criminality and embrace peace and meaningful ventures.