▪Commends Navy, villagers for prompt response
▪Bans Marina Resort cruise operations indefinitely
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has ordered an investigation into the cruise boat mishap involving 14 medical students at the popular Marina Resort in Calabar, the State capital.
Otu, who was saddened that three of the medical students, in Calabar for the Nigeria Medical Students Games, had yet-to-be found, charged security and rescue agencies as well as local villagers involved in the operations to find the missing students and reunite them with their families.
He decried the safety standards at the resort, vowing that anyone found guilty to have compromised on safety would be severely sanctioned.
Otu said; “The news of a cruise boat mishap at the Marina Resort, a tourist and relaxation destination in Calabar, is saddening and calls for concern not only as your governor but as a parent.
“To imagine that the boat was overcrowded and some of those on it were without life jackets is of even greater concern, and the more reason why the state government will be investigating the incident and all those found culpable of having compromised on safety standards will face the wrath of the law.
“As a government, our administration remains committed to protecting the sanctity of life and providing an enabling environment for business, tourism and peaceable living. Therefore, any untoward action that could derail our objective will not be tolerated.”
Otu, however, expressed joy that all but one of the rescued students were out of the hospital and was confident that the remaining one would pull through as doctors said he was stable and responding to treatment.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, said that Otu was full of praise for the personnel of the Nigerian Navy and local villagers who responded swiftly to the hapless revellers and rescued 11 of the 14 passengers on the boat.
Meanwhile, Governor Otu, in further response to the cruise boat accident, has directed as follows:
1. All cruise boat operations and other activities at the Marina Resort be suspended immediately until further notice.
2. The cruise boat operators with the management of the State Tourism Bureau are directed to attend a meeting in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 by 12pm.
3. Besides the cruise boat operations, the State Ministry of Transport is to immediately cross-check the safety standards and conditions of all boats operating in the Calabar waterways.
4. The Police should speed up their investigations of the fatal boat accident and prosecute those found culpable to serve as deterrence to others.
5. The governor further sympathizes with the families of the affected students over the unfortunate incident.
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