Former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa has called for improved regulation of marine transportation in the country.

Mr Sylva made the call in a statement by his media aide Julius Bokoru, expressing shock and grief over last Thursday’s cargo boat mishap in Bayelsa.

The boat was en route to Okpoama, Brass, from Swali in Yenagoa when it capsized on Thursday at Okoroma in the Nembe council area.

The boat was carrying over 100 passengers. The casualty figure has not been disclosed as there was no manifest of persons on board.

The spokesperson for the police command in Bayelsa, SP Asinim Butswat, said the death toll was five so far. According to him, the search and rescue operations are continuing.

Mr Sylva, who commiserated with families who lost their relatives, bemoaned the weak regulation of the marine transport sector in Bayelsa.

“Words are not enough to console the families of the victims. This tragedy chose an inauspicious time to come, and while it is difficult, we must let the families know that we love them and have them in our prayers,” the former petroleum minister said.

While lamenting the recent trend of frequent marine mishaps across the state, Mr Sylva called for better regulation of the country’s waterways, especially maritime transportation.

He called on relevant authorities saddled with regulatory duties in inland waterways transportation to forestall further incidents. 

(NAN)