Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has banned all activities at Marina Resort until further notice in response to a recent boat accident on the Calabar waterways.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that this directive was conveyed through a press statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Ogbeche.
Governor Otu has also instructed the state Ministry of Transport to thoroughly review the safety standards and conditions of all boats operating in the Calabar waterways.
A meeting between cruise boat operators and the State Tourism Bureau has been scheduled for Tuesday, as announced by Ogbeche.
In the press statement, Ogbeche emphasised the need to assess the safety standards and conditions of all boats operating in the Calabar waterways, not limited to cruise boat operations. Governor Otu expressed his concern over the safety standards at Marina Resort, stating that anyone found responsible for compromising safety would face severe sanctions.
Addressing the boat mishap at Marina Resort, Governor Otu expressed his sadness and concern, both as a governor and a parent. He emphasised that the overcrowding of the boat and the absence of life jackets among some passengers were particularly alarming.
Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and creating a conducive environment for business, tourism, and peaceful living. He firmly stated that any actions that could hinder their objectives would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NIMSA) has placed blame on the management of Marina Resort Calabar for the boat mishap, which resulted in the drowning of their fellow students.
Speaking to journalists, the national president of NIMSA, Egim Egbe, criticised the negligence, incompetence, and lackadaisical attitude of the crew members and resort management, considering the incident to be an avoidable tragedy causing significant distress within the medical student community nationwide.
As the search and rescue efforts continue, three out of the thirteen NIMSA students who embarked on a boat cruise at Marina Resort in Calabar, Cross River State, are still missing.
The boat capsized around 3 pm on Saturday while the medical students, who had travelled from various universities across the country to participate in NIMSA’s annual Health Week in Calabar, were enjoying a boat cruise.
Among the missing are three medical students, two from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and one from the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.
