By: Joy Enamuna

The President -General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade (Prince) Adewale Adeyanju on behalf of his Executives commiserates with Kwara State Government and the families of those who lost their loved ones in the boat mishap, where 106 persons lost their lives within Ebu and Dzakan villages respectively in Pattegi Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday this week.

It was reported that the boat which had 250 passengers on board were traveling for a wedding ceremony when it was already dark on that fateful Monday and never had their live jackets on when the boat capsized due to a faulty engine.

However, we as a Union in the maritime sector really feel depressed over the sad incident which claimed lives of many as reported in the state. We are also saddened and deeply pained in our hearts as we commiserate with the families of whom loved ones were victims in the boat mishap. We pray that the Almighty God grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss of lives; at the same urging the State Government not to relent in their campaign on the need to make sure of the use life jackets each time the people embark on water transportation within the riverine areas of the state.

It is also very imperative that the government should carry out awareness training periodically on safety, security and protection of boat drivers and passengers, stating to them categorically the need to always travel with life jackets, with well serviced boat engines, and avoiding overloading of passengers with total restrictions of night travels on water; as movement of boats must be prohibited from 1800hours of every day as proper adherence to these waterways laws will guarantee safety and security of persons and boats on water transportation.

On this note, I want to use this medium to pray for the state over the incident and for the souls of the departed, that may God grant them eternal rest in peace.

Thanks.