The Bayelsa State Government has banned cooking in local wooden boats over the waterway accident that took 20 lives in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state last week.
The government also announced the mandatory use of life jackets and the provision of life buoys for all boat operators.
The deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, represented the governor, Douye Diri while condoling the families of the victims of the boat accident at the weekly State Executive Meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
According to him, henceforth, the government would not tolerate the presence of illegal inflammables in boats, apart from the quantity of fuel needed for any journey to forestall future occurrences of avoidable fire incidents and mishaps.
He said, “Cooking in all our boats is hereby banned, and all travellers must have life-jackets, whether speed or wooden local boats. All boats must also have life-buoys, and the ban on night travel is still in force.
“All boats must also be checked for inflammables that should not be in the boat, apart from the quantity needed for the journey. We believe that these measures will help save lives and property, which is the main duty of government.
“On behalf of our governor, we wish to convey our deepest condolences and utmost grief to the families of victims of the ill-fated boat mishap that occurred in Southern Ijaw last week. Preliminary reports seem to show some level of negligence on the part of the boat operators.
“We also want to extend our deep sadness over the kidnap that occurred along the Nembe-Brass route a couple of days ago. It is unfortunate, but I can assure you that the government is taking steps to ensure the safety of our waterways.
“No boat should take more than what is in their manifest. We thank all those who helped in the rescue mission in the Southern Ijaw boat mishap.”
He thanked Bayelsans, especially the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Target Segibo, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, and all those who participated in the search and rescue operation that led to the recovery of the remains of the victims.
The governor also appealed to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Navy, the marine component of the Nigeria Police, and the state Community Safety Corps to enforce the new measures, including the subsisting ban on night travels on waterways in the state.