The Cross River State Governor, Gov. Bassey Otu, has announced plans to sanction officials of the Marina Resort found liable for having compromised on safety standards over the cruise boat mishap.
This was announced in a press statement signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
Chronicle NG reported that a boat conveying 14 medical students capsized on Saturday at the popular Marina Resort in Calabar.
While 11 of the students were rescued by men of the Nigerian Navy and villagers, three are still missing.
Otu, who has placed an indefinite suspension on cruise boat operations at the Marina Resort, Calabar, has charged security officials and rescue agencies to find the missing students and unite them with their families.
“The government is saddened over this incident. We charge security and rescue agencies as well as villagers involved in the operations to find the missing students and reunite them with their families,” Otu said
He condemned the resort’s safety standards, stating that anyone found guilty of compromising safety will face severe penalties.
“The news of a cruise boat mishap at the Marina Resort, a tourist and relaxation destination in Calabar, is saddening and calls for concern to me, 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 the state government will be investigating the incident.
“All those found culpable of having compromised on safety standards will face the wrath of the law.
“As a government, we remain committed to protecting lives and providing an enabling environment for business, tourism,” he said.
According to him, any intentional or inadvertent plans that jeopardize the state’s goal will not be permitted.
He praised the Nigerian Navy personnel and the villagers, who responded quickly and saved 11 of the 14 passengers on the boat.
Otu also expressed his joy that all but one of the rescued medical students had been released from the hospital.
He also expressed confidence that the remaining one would pull through, as doctors had assured him that he was stable and responding to treatment.
He also expressed hope that the remaining patient would survive because doctors had assured him that he was stable and responding to therapy.
