President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed sadness over the boat accident in Anambra State, in which dozens of people were killed.
He said he was saddened by the boat accident and directed that all possible efforts be made to account for all the passengers.
According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the boat reportedly carrying 85 persons capsized following rising floods in Ogbaru area of the state, with emergency bodies confirming a death toll of 76.
Following the tragedy, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have embarked on rescue and recovery missions expeditiously.
Buhari said as more details are awaited, he has directed all other rescue and relief agencies to rush to the site of the accident.
He said he has also directed the relevant agencies of government to check the safety protocols on the transport ferries to make sure such incidents are avoided in the future.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for everyone’s safety, as well as the well-being of the family members of the victims of this tragic accident,” said the president.
In the same vein, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2021 Anambra governorship election, Andy Uba, expressed shock and sorrow over the boat mishap at Umunankwo in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
Uba described the incident as disheartening, noting that 76 persons lost their lives when the boat carrying 85 passengers from Onukwu to Nkwo Ogbakuba capsized last Friday morning.
He expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the dead and the injured.
Uba, in a condolence message issued, yesterday, called on the state government, particularly the transportation authorities, to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the nation’s waterways and urged that lessons from the accident should help prevent a future occurrence.
He wished the wounded a speedy recovery and success on the search and rescue of some missing passengers on the capsized boat.
He called on the Anambra government to direct relevant agencies in the state to commence intensive search for the remaining victims, and accord them befitting burial.
Uba described the accident as sad, unfortunate and devastating and prayed for the safe rescue of the remaining passengers.
