MWUN expresses grief over Imore boat accident; commiserates with families of deceased; seeks prompt prosecution of offenders.
MWUN expresses grief over Imore boat accident; commiserates with families of deceased; seeks prompt prosecution of offenders.
Segun Oladipupo
The Maritime Workers’ Union off Nigeria (MWUN) on Thursday, expressed sadness over the tragic boat mishap that occurred on Monday, 7th October, 2024 at More town
The unfortunate incident involved a giver boat owned by Only God Marine and a wooden passenger boat
Investigations revealed that the fibre boat veered off its channel and collided with the wooden boat as a result of the captain’s vision blocked by cargo and negligence of safety rules
In a release by MWUN, the union commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives in the mishap
MWUN also wished the injured persons a full and speedy recovery
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish the injured a swift and full recovery,” it stated
The union confirmed that arrests have been made even as it expects prosecution of the offenders to follow.
The maritime union lauded the timely intervention of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)
It added that the proactiveness of the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji played a crucial role in rescuing victims and ensuring prompt medical attention for the injured persons.
“We commend Mr. Bola Oyebamiji for his swift intervention, which led to the rescue of some victims and the prompt treatment of the injured. His decisive action in the immediate aftermath of the incident is worthy of recognition,” said Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President of MWUN.
The union also praised NIWA’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable, noting that it would serve as a deterrent for future negligence. “We applaud NIWA’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable, as this will serve as a deterrent to others,” Adeyanju stated.
MWUN further lauded Mr. Oyebamiji for his efforts in improving safety on Nigeria’s waterways, particularly through initiatives like the creation of the NIWA River Marshall, aimed at enhancing security and safety in coastal areas.
“His vision in enhancing safety on Nigeria’s waterways, especially through initiatives such as the NIWA River Marshall, is critical and should be further empowered,” Adeyanju noted.
However, the union emphasized that more needs to be done to prevent such accidents in the future. They called for improved monitoring of boat operators, regular channelling of coastal waters, better lighting, and the removal of wrecks. Additionally, MWUN urged the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to provide NIWA with the necessary resources to enforce safety regulations more effectively.
“It is our hope that this tragedy will inspire all stakeholders to prioritize safety on our waterways,” Adeyanju concluded.
