Governor Otu shutdown Marina Resort indefinitely after boat mishap
Governor Bassey Otu has ordered the indefinite suspension of cruise operations at the Calabar Marina Resort following the tragic boat mishap that led to the drowning of three medical students out of 14.
Fourteen members of the Medical Students Association from the University of Calabar on Saturday 24th June 2023, boarded the boat at Marina Beach for a ride tagged ‘The Paradise Experience’ but while voyaging, the boat capsized and emptied all 14 students in what eyewitnesses say was caused by overloading.
Amidst mixed reactions that have trailed the unfortunate event, Governor Otu on Sunday in a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary Emmanuel Ogbeche ordered that all cruise boat operations and other activities at the Marina Resort be suspended immediately until further notice.
He urged the Police to speed up their investigations of the fatal boat accident and prosecute those found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
Mr. Otu also directed “that the cruise boat operators with the management of the State Tourism Bureau are directed to attend a meeting in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 by 12:pm.”
The release added: “Besides the cruise boat operations, the State Ministry of Transport is to immediately cross-check the safety standards and conditions of all boats operating in the Calabar waterways,” even as he continues to sympathize with the families of the affected students over the unfortunate incident.
“Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, in further response to the cruise boat accident at the Marina Resort, Calabar, on Saturday, June 24, 2023, involving 14 medical students with three feared dead and 1l rescued, has directed as follows:
“That all cruise boat operations and other activities at the Marina Resort be suspended immediately until further notice.
“That the cruise boat operators with the management of the State Tourism Bureau are directed to attend a meeting in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 by 12:pm.
“Besides the cruise boat operations, the State Ministry of Transport is to immediately cross-check the safety standards and conditions of all boats operating in the Calabar waterways.
“That the Police should speed up their investigations of the fatal boat accident and prosecute those found culpable to serve as deterrence to others.
“The governor further sympathizes with the families of the affected students over the unfortunate incident.”
By Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
