No fewer than five seafood vendors perished in a boat accident over the weekend in Ondo State’s Ilaje Local Government Area.
According to reports, the victims’ boat capsized as they were traveling on the waterways to a local market in Ugbo-Nla, one of the coastal communities in Ilaje LGA, to purchase seafood.
Six traders were involved in the accident, but only one was rescued, according to Mr. Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, National President of the Ondo State Fishermen Association of Nigeria, who confirmed the incident on Sunday.
According to Gabyisemore, if the remaining five had worn “life jackets” on their journey, they would have been saved.
“It was gathered that six persons, who went to buy seafood at a local market at Ugbo-Nla, were involved in an accident on the waterway.
“Their boat capsized and five of the travellers died, while only one person was rescued, due to the use of a life jacket,” he said.
While commiserating with the families and relatives of the deceased, Mr Gbayisemore bemoaned the attitude of passengers using the waterways to trade their business without the use of life jackets.
He underscored the importance of the jackets, particularly, when plying the coaster regions of the state and the country at large, stressing that their significance would enhance safety and increase the chances of survival during an emergency.
According to him, the state government needed to urgently put in place stringent measures that would mandate the use of life jackets by commuters on waterways.
“The lone survivor in the Ugbo Nla boat mishap had the foresight to wear a life jacket, before setting out on the ill-fated trip. The life jacket was vital to his survival, keeping him buoyant until rescuers arrived.
“This tragic event serves as a critical call to the government to enforce the mandatory use of life jackets and by so doing, the government can prevent future tragedy and create a safer environment for all water commuters.
“This serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to enforce the use of life jackets for all individuals commuting on water,” he explained.
Discussion about this post