Jare OLUKOTUN
18 people on board of a ferry from Badore to Egbin ferry terminal have lost their lives after their boat capsized.
THE IMPACT gathered that the incident happened between 10 and 11pm on Saturday, June 29, 2019.
It was gathered that 21 passengers, including a pregnant woman, were on board the ferry which was allegedly hit by heavy waves.
There were three survivors in the incident .
As at the time of filling this report, rescue team has only been able to recover three bodies.
In a` release by Mr Kabir Kareem, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Ijede Local Council Development Area(LCDA) , three out of the 21 passengers on board survived the accident.
“A Passenger Speedboat capsized yesterday (Saturday 29th of June, 2019) around 9pm, boat en route Egbin Jetty in Ijede from Badore, 21 passengers on board, 3 Survivors, 1 dead body recovered and others are yet to be recovered” .
The release stated further that rescue mission by the Lagos State Emmergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and other relevant agencies was still ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Ijede LCDA, Mr Kunle olambiwoninu, has stated that the council is doing everything possible to compliment efforts by the state agency managing the waterways in ensuring compliance.
Olambiwoninu, while speaking with our reporter on phone, stated that , “As a council authority, we have been trying to ensure that commercial ferry operators in our areas comply with regulations guiding waterways operations but enforcement in this regard lies with the Lagos State Waterways Authority(LASWA) .
He stated this while responding to our reporter’s question on the stipulated time for operation of the ferries.
It was also gathered that the capsized boat is in the custody of the Marine Police.
Officials of the LASEMA and LASWA are coordinating the search operation which was still on-going as at the time of filing this report.
