President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the Anambra boat mishap, condoling with the families of the victims and also directing more rescue relief agencies to “rush to the site of the accident”.
In a statement by his media aide Garba Shehu, the Nigerian leader noted the efforts of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who “have embarked on rescue and recovery missions expeditiously”.
He also directed the relevant agencies of government to check the safety protocols on these transport ferries to make sure such incidents are avoided in the future.
He prayed 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 the tragic accident.
The incident happened when a boat reportedly carrying 85 persons capsized following rising floods in the Ogbaru area of the state. Emergency agencies confirmed a death toll of 76.
In the same vein, a former Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has condoled the families of the victims and expressed his condolences to Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo over the incident.
He said that the incident has added to the ugly situation following the huge deadly flooding that has displaced people from their homelands, washing away houses and farmlands.
The former governor called 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 to tackle the emergency.
He believed that diligent intervention by all stakeholders will no doubt reduce the burden imposed by the disaster, adding that deliberate efforts must begin in the implementation of a permanent solution to the disaster.
Chief Obiano explained that it is climate change that has now combined to worsen this yearly disaster saying that he 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.
/Channels
