… As Ex-Gov Obiano condoles with Anambra Government, victims***

Nigerian Transportation Commissioners’ Forum (NTCF) has expressed grief over the reoccurring incidents of boat accidents in some parts of the country.

Executive Secretary of NTCF, Chinwe Uwaegbute, stated this in an interview with the newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

Also read: Flood: Victims commend NIWA for providing boats; NEMA distributes relief materials in Kogi

Uwaegbute described the incidents as unfortunate, saying that they needed to be tackled in order to protect the lives and property of the citizens.

While sympathising with the families of the victims, he said that the forum would collaborate with relevant stakeholders and agencies to contribute its quota for the good of all.

“The recent boat accident in Ogbaru, Anambra, is an unfortunate situation that could have been averted if laid down rules and regulations were strictly adhered to by all concerned.

”Sometimes, you will discover that a boat designed to carry certain number of passengers is made to take twice its capacity, thereby overloading it and endangering lives.

”The forum sympathises with Gov. Charles Soludo and his Commissioner for Transportation, Patricia Igwebuike, on these recent mishaps.

”The forum will collaborate with the state government on water transportation to drive best practices in form of regulations and policies.

”We will educate actors within the water transportation through robust sensitisation and safety awareness to adhere strictly to water regulations and safety procedures.

”The forum is appealing for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to cushion the effects of the challenges faced by victims of these mishaps.

Newsmen report that a boat carrying about 85 people had reportedly capsized near a bridge, with about nine people rescued, while many occupants of the boat have not been accounted for.

The boat, carrying 85 people, was said to have capsized, following rising floods in the Ogbaru area of the state, with authorities confirming 76 people dead.

In the meantime, Ex-Gov Willie Obiano, of Anambra has commiserated with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and the people of the state over the boat mishap in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

Obiano conveyed his message in a statement made available to newsmen by Mr Tony Nezianya, his publicity Secretary on Monday.

The newsmen report that the ill-fated boat was ferrying flood victims from the Umunankwo Community of Ogbaru LGA to the upland area when it capsized leaving unconfirmed persons dead.

Obiano said the incident was a sad addition to the destructive flooding which had displaced people from their homelands, washing away houses and farmlands.

He called on governments at all levels to take steps to tackle the emergency head-on.

The former Governor expressed deep sympathy with the Government and families of the victims of the accident.

According to him, I share the grief of the victims of the emergency, who should endeavour to follow the government’s wise counsel to evacuate to safety until the floodwaters recede.

‘’The flooding has also wreaked havoc in Anambra East and West, Ayamelum as well as Ogbaru areas of the state.

‘’I have been informed that many have died as a result of displacements by the raging floodwaters, as well as farmlands that have been washed away.

‘’I call on the Federal Government to offer leadership at this point to mitigate the disaster by ensuring the speedy release of ecological funds in supporting the state in tackling the emergency,” he said.

Obiano, an indigene of Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, one of the badly affected areas, said the issue of climate change should be taken seriously as it was contributing to the yearly disaster.

He said diligent intervention by relevant stakeholders would reduce the burden posed by the disaster adding that deliberate efforts must begin toward finding a permanent solution to flooding.

He advised the release of water from Cameroonian dams should be better managed.

‘’May we remember in our prayers all those that have so far died as a result of the flooding ravaging our state over the past weeks,” he said.