By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Benue State Government has given the owner of an abandoned barge linked to the boat accident at Buruku crossing point a seven-day ultimatum to evacuate it or risk confiscation.
Several persons are still missing following the accident, which occurred on Saturday, despite the rescue of others.
The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Ter Iyaghigba, after an on-the-spot assessment of the scene.
The government also ordered the immediate suspension of the Buruku crossing point branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers (NUMW).
It further ordered the suspension of the line operator and the arrest and detention of the boat skipper involved in the incident.
An inter-ministerial committee is being constituted to investigate the immediate, remote and underlying causes of the accident, while the ministry is working with local divers to intensify search and rescue operations.
Iyaghigba stressed strict compliance with the mandatory use of life jackets at all river crossing points in the state.
