Tragedy again struck in Bayelsa state, on Wednesday, June 22, as eight persons were feared dead in a boat accident around Oyoma, near Oporoma, the headquarters of the Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
The accident was said to have involved two boats, as one rammed into the other due to bad weather and poor visibility, according to reports.
The boat accident occurred barely five days after a similar occurence, which claimed six lives, happened between Otuan and Ayama axis of the same Southern Ijaw local government area on Saturday.
The state chairman of Nigerian Maritime Union Workers (NMUW), Mr Ipigansi Ogoniba, while confirming the accident, said the accident was another avoidable tragedy but happened unfortunately.
He stated that, “The accident occurred around 9 am on Wednesday, June 22. The boat was travelling from Korokorosei to Ayama Ijaw. It was raining so the boat driver covered the passengers with tarpaulin, unfortunately the passengers did not hold the tarpaulin properly, and the wind blew the tarpaulin which covered his face.
“Hence, affecting his ability to see clearly, and this led to the collision of the boats.
“The affected boat loaded 12 passengers and eight drowned, while four were saved. Meanwhile, our rescue team took the empty boat to Ayama,” he said.
Ogoniba also lamented the failure of boat drivers to provide life jackets to passengers which is meant to save them from drowning, according to Daily Post.
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