Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the Monday fire outbreak at the Bonny/Nembe/Bille Jetty, off Creek Road in the Old Port Harcourt Township, was unfortunate, and expressed sympathy to those who were personally impacted by the inferno.
The governor's assurance was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Rivers State, Boniface Onyedi, in Government House, Port Harcourt, on January 30, 2024.
Fubara further expressed his determination to work with the operators of the jetty to streamline measures that will end the occurrence of these annual infernos in the area.
The governor gave the assurance through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, who represented him with the high-powered delegation that he led to visit the scene of the inferno.
"Governor Fubara would have been here himself but was on another engagement. He has directed us to be here to get a first-hand report from us before he returns."
"We have seen the situation on the ground. We have heard from the maritime workers' chairman; the complaints and of course the recommendations he has made concerning a quick reaction time in terms of fire service response."
"We will assess the situation in terms of what has been damaged; the building that has been completely burnt down, the damaged jetty and other items that were damaged. Be assured he will take every possible step to assuage your feelings and loss."
The Chairman of the Maritime Workers, Comrade Israel Waribo Pepple, explained that the boats that were affected by the fire had been fully loaded with passengers and goods about to sail before the incident.
According to him, the driver of the affected boat has not been found and they were still watching the tide to see if the drowned person(s) will float up from the depths of the river to the surface to ascertain the number of deaths.
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