Calabar residents beg govt to ban leaking boats to avert mishaps

Many passengers plying the Calabar-Oron waterways on wooden speed boats have lamented that many of the boats are leaking water while in motion.

They have therefore called on the relevant government agencies to intervene and cause these boats to be withdrawn, refurbished or outrightly banned from plying the waters.

In an interview at the Safe Journey Beach in Calabar, they lamented that passengers lives are seriously at risk as the leakages could cause the boats to capsize anytime.

One of the passengers who gave his name as Philip Philip urged government not to delay any further in taking action.

“The major challenge which is now number one is that almost all the boats plying the waterways in Calabar are leaking, so that in the high waters much water effortlessly run into the boats whilst on motion thereby risking the boats and passengers’ lives.

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“Government should take immediately actions to ensure the leaking ones are rectified or they ban them just to save precious lives.”

Former chairman of Maritime Workers Union and a boat owner, Effiom Asuquo, said owners and operators are mindful of the safety of boats and passengers.

“As a boat operator myself, I do take extra care of my boats. We have many unions, including boat drivers union, as well as operators union.

“The Nigerian Navy are also particular about safety of water passengers. This is the reason they have up to four checkpoints on the waterways in case of any eventualities.”