By Wilson Adekumola
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has directed that the incident of the 14 medical students in the cruise boat mishap at the popular Marina Resort in Calabar, the state capital be investigated.
Otu gave the order in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche and made available to newsmen on Sunday, lamenting that the boat was overcrowded and without taking safety measure into consideration, adding more reason why the state government will be investigating the incident and anyone found culpable of defying safety rules would be decisively dealt with.
While expressing worries that three of the medical students, who are in Calabar for the Nigeria Medical Students Games, are yet to be found, the Governor urged the security and rescue agencies as well as local villagers involved in the operations to intensify their to find the missing students and reunite them with their families.
The Governor said, ‘” The news of a cruise boat mishap at the Marina Resort, a tourist and relaxation destination in Calabar, is saddening and calls for concern 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 ever greater concern, and the more reason why the state government will be investigating the incident and all those found culpable of having compromised on safety standards will face the wrath of the law.
“As government, our administration remains committed to protecting the sanctity of life and providing an enabling environment for business, tourism and peaceable living. Therefore, any untoward action that could derail our objective will not be tolerated,” the governor stated.
Otu, however, declared his happiness that only one of the rescued students remains in the hospital and was positive that the remaining one will soon recoverd based on doctors’ reports on response to treatment.
