Bonny River Tragedy: Bonny Council To Investigate Passenger Boat

The Chairman of Bonny Local Government, Mrs. Anengi Claude-Wilcox, has said that the council would investigate the passenger boat that failed to offer assistance to victims of last Sunday’s boat mishap on the Bonny River.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the council, Mr. John Gabriel-Pepple, the chairman said she was deeply saddened by the incident and has commiserated with the victims and their families.
Three people including a toddler drowned when a passenger boat travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny on Sunday evening. The incident was reportedly caused by a storm at an area called ‘Yellow Platform” near Bonny Island at about 5 pm.
The boat was said to be carrying 22 passengers from the Bonny/Nembe/Bille Waterfront Jetty in Port Harcourt.
The statement from Bonny LGA said, “Preliminary findings revealed that the crash was caused by a sudden rise of the oceanic storm which troubled the boat, leading to the unfortunate crash that claimed three lives, with 19 survivors who were all immediately taken for medical attention at the expense of the Bonny Local Government.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims. May God grant you all the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Claude-Wilcox however said the council was investigating a passenger boat that was at the scene during the incident but refused to assist the victims.
“Information reaching the council revealed that there was a passenger boat that met the scene of the incident but refused to stop to rescue the victims while they were struggling to survive on the sea.
“Anybody with useful information about the particular boat driver should contact the council secretary. The Bonny Local Government Council advises travelers to be cautious of the weather and adhere strictly to the safety rules and measures of passenger ferries, to avert a recurrence.”
Travellers along the Bonny River have called on the authorities to institute safety protocols for commuters plying the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route. They also appealed to government to compel the contractor working on the Bodo-Bonny Road deliver quick on the project so that people could travel to Bonny by road.
Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the story of the mishap.