By Cajetan Mmuta
Families and residents have continued to mourn following the recovery of 16 dead bodies including those of little children by a combined search team of Ogbaru local government area of Anambra’ State and officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in the wake of the flood disaster that led to boat capsize in the State.
Besides, 30 of the missing persons have so far been rescued alive while eight others are still missing.
The sailor of the ill-fated boat, Mr. Desmond Amaugo, who confirmed the number of persons onboard, said most of the occupants of the boat were mainly market women heading to Ogbakuba for their trading.
Amaugo, said that the boat capsized due to strong waves that hit the water and knocked the boat against the pillars of Umunnakwo/Ossomala bridge despite all efforts he made to stabilise it.
Some of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated boat were Mrs Achonu, wife of one Mr Bernard Achonu, and her three children aged between two and six.
Families of the victims, including Mr Bernard, Mr Kenneth Ezi, and Dominic Amuzir in reaction said they were shocked over the sad development.
They call on the state and federal governments to Wade into the matter to avert future occurrences.
The State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) assured that the search would continue.
A former Transition Committee Chairman of Ogbaru LGA, Mr Arinze Awogu, however, gave the figure of recovered dead bodies as 13.
He said before the end of the day, they believed that more would be recovered, adding that it had not been an easy task.
“All hands are on deck. Recovering the bodies will not be easy and before night today, we hope more bodies will be found,” Awogu said
One of the indigenes of the area, Eze Ogbugbulu, also disclosed that 16 bodies were recovered, including children.
The boat had capsized in River Niger, Anambra State at the weekend.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA and former Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chief Paul Odenigbo, said, ”For now, I can’t quote any figure of dead bodies recovered because it’s a continuous process. The agency has not rested since then.
He said, “When something like this happens, it takes up to a week before you start seeing the bodies because they will go down deep in the river.
“What happened was pathetic and regrettable. It will take some time before the bodies come up and start floating in the water. Out of the 85 persons on board, only nine were rescued and since we’ve not seen the rest, it’s assumed something bad must have happened. It’s quite unfortunate ” Odenigbo said
Also, Chief Ogbugbulu said, “To tell you the truth, the majority of the people in that capsized boat are from Okpolodu camp in Ogwu-Anocha, the last Community before Rivers State and Mputu.
“It is difficult to recover those bodies because some of the bodies will hang in some of the metals and trees inside the river.
“But as we talk now, we learnt 16 bodies were recovered late Saturday and we’re still waiting today (Sunday) to see what will happen. It’s a difficult situation for us.
“We are talking about the flood that has submerged virtually every building in Ogbaru and now this “Ogbugbulu stated.
*Buhari expresses grief over Anambra boat accident
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the boat accident in Anambra state, in which dozens of people were killed.
Also, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, described the Ogbaru boat mishap as a “disaster of monumental proportions.”
The boat reportedly carrying 85 persons capsized following rising floods in Ogbaru area of the state, with emergency bodies confirming a death toll of 76.
Following the tragedy, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have embarked on rescue and recovery missions expeditiously.
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As more details are awaited, the President according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu has directed all other rescue and relief agencies to rush to the site of the accident.
He also directed the relevant agencies of government to check the safety protocols on these transport ferries to make sure such incidents are avoided in the future.
Buhari said he was saddened by the boat accident and directed that all possible efforts be made to account for all the passengers.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased and everyone’s safety, as well as the well-being of the family members of the victims of this tragic accident,” said the President.
*It’s a disaster of monumental proportions, says Ngige
Ngige has described the boat mishap as a disaster of monumental proportions.
A statement by the Minister’s media office in Abuja, Sunday, said the former Anambra State Governor expressed “deep sadness and grief” over the tragic incident.
Ngige said, “On behalf of my immediate and extended family, I send my deepest sympathies and condolences to the government and people of Anambra State on the loss of scores of lives in the fatal boat mishap which occurred in Ogbaru.
“As a former Governor of the state, it was very distressful and agonising to me when I heard that over 76 precious lives were lost in the accident. The tragic mishap is a disaster of monumental proportions.
“I understand the pain and anguish that those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy are experiencing at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, while I wish the injured, a quick and speedy recovery. “
Ngige also commiserated with the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, the Senator representing Anambra North senatorial district, Princess Stella Oduah, and the representative of Ogbaru federal constituency, Chuchu Onyema, assuring them and the people of his support at this very painful moment.
“However, as we mourn, let us take solace in the fact that we all are mortals and will one day return to our creator. I pray the Almighty God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.”
