Delta boat owners decry tough time in waterways, say things were better under Goodlluck Jonathan

Goodluck Jonathan

The Miller Boat Owners Union, MBOU, Tuesday cried out that sea pirates are giving its members a tough time even with the heavy presence of security operatives in waterways in Warri and its environs in Delta State.

MBOU Vice Chairman, Samuel Egbe made the assertion in a chat with DAILY POST in Delta State.

Egbe said the sea pirates attack, rob, injure and sometimes kill its members with passengers on board their speed boats in the waterways without any reprisal from security operatives.

He said the committee on waterways security set up by the Delta State Government is no longer functional.

Egbe said the union and its members are suffering as they are now afraid of entering the rivers because of the activities of sea pirates.

He said even when they do, they don’t work as they used to in previous regimes.

“We don’t know what is happening but before now, members of the waterway security were patrolling the water down to Burutu, everywhere.

“We are begging the Governor, Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa to give Boro Opudu the waterway security contract back so that the river can be safe again.”

Egbe blamed the President Muhammadu Buhari government for the attacks for not being able to fulfil its promises to the people, especially the marine sector when he took over power in 2015.

He stressed, “The Marine business no longer thrives. We are not seeing the changes President Buhari promised us. There is no empowerment. We are suffering. We need good government to take over.

“When former President Goodluck Jonathan was on the saddle, there was enjoyment everywhere. We were going to work steady. But when Buhari came in, there is nothing.”

Reacting, the Delta State Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka said the marine police is working in synergy with other security agents towards ensuring that criminality is reduced in the waterways.

While stressing that there is nothing to be apprehensive about, he said the boat owners and operators should avail the police useful information to act.

Aniamaka also said,”There is no space for criminality to thrive in the state.”