NigerianFLIGHTDECK Travel and Business Reportage
Following the unfortunate boat mishap at the Marina Resort Calabar last week, the Cross River State Government has ordered the shut down of the resort and directed an immediate investigation into the incident to get to the bottom of the accident which haa led to the death of three people.
This is just as Cross Rivers State Tourism Board has been ordered to provide the safety logs of the operating boat company with the operations unit for decisive mitigation and preventive action.
Three bodies, Mustapha Tukur, Aisha Celestine Ogwu and Hamza Kabiru were recovered from the tragic incident yesterday
In a statement signed by Permanent secretary
Min of culture & Tourism, Eme Affiah the boat accident occurred on June 24, 2023 at the Marina Resort and involved members of the Nigerian Medical Students Association.
Before the bodies were found, the statement had confirmed that of those involved 12 persons comprising 10 students and two crew members, were rescued while the remaining three students were yet to be found.
The statement had shed light on the activities of that day, ” Though the ill-fated cruise was a private arrangement between the students and a private operator, the oversight of safety of all life and property is paramount in the duties of the state government.
“The students concluded the arrangements for the Cruise with a private boat operator during the visit to the Slave History Museum. The students had sought discounts from the management of the resort for a reduction of the entry fee for about two hundred students who were expected.
“The Boat Cruise was not part of their initial plan but was based on an impromptu decision made during the visit to the Slave Museum.
“The students were said to have been provided with life jackets and were all seated in the boat before the commencement of the cruise.
“The first batch of students had successfully concluded the cruise before the unfortunate incident happened.
“We take this opportunity to commend members of the Nigerian Navy and local rescue teams that stepped in to rescue the students.
“We commiserate with the families and the student association on this terrible accident. This will be the first sad incident of this kind at the Marina Resort since it was opened.
” In a bid to get to the bottom of the matter, His Excellency the Governor of Cross River state, has swiftly shut down the resort and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
“Following the governor’s directive, the Ministry of Tourism will get to the bottom of the issue(s) that led to this very regrettable and avoidable accident.
“The Head of CRSTB has been ordered to provide the safety logs of the operating boat company with the operations unit for a Decisive mitigation and preventive action.