By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Benue State Government has suspended the Buruku crossing point branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers (NUMW) following Saturday’s boat mishap in which several passengers remain unaccounted for despite the rescue of others.
A statement by Denis Ter Iyaghigba, Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, ordered the immediate suspension of the union after paying an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the accident.
The Commissioner also ordered the suspension of the line operator and the arrest and detention of the boat skipper involved in the incident.
The statement further pointed out that an inter-ministerial committee to investigate and establish the immediate, remote and underlying cause of the mishap is being constituted as the ministry is already working with the local divers to intensify the search and rescue of victims.
While harping on strict compliance with the mandatory use of life jackets at all river crossing points across the state, Mr IYAGHIGBA gave
the owner of the abandoned barge believed to have contributed to the accident a seven-day ultimatum to evacuate it from the crossing point or risk its confiscation by the government.
