The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, has been confirmed as one of the survivors of the tragic boat accident that claimed five lives in Delta State on Tuesday.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Guwor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, it was noted that the speaker is still recovering from the shock of the incident.
According to the statement, the accident occurred as the speaker was returning to Asaba from Warri after engaging with constituents on Friday afternoon.
The accident, which took place in the Warri South Local Government Area, resulted in five fatalities, six injuries, and left twenty people still unaccounted for.
“Mr speaker is deeply saddened by the tragic boat mishap that occurred over the weekend along Bennett Island River in Warri South-west local government area of Delta State, in which he was involved but miraculously survived.
“Unfortunately, five precious lives were lost in the incident.
“Mr Speaker was returning to Asaba, enroute Warri after engagement with constituents on the faithful Friday afternoon, November 22, 2024, when the boat he was being ferried almost had a head-on collision with another, resulting to the death of five persons and several others injured.
“His heart goes out to the families of the deceased, and he prays that God grants them the strength to bear these irreparable losses.
“Mr. Speaker is still in shock over the incident and can only imagine the pain and grief that the families of the victims must be going through.
“He thanks God for sparing his life and that of others who survived the mishap. He also appreciates the prompt response of the rescue team and the medical personnel who attended to them.
“Mr Speaker has asked that relevant authorities should conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident, with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.
“Once again, Mr Speaker commiserates with the families of the victims and pray for the repose of their souls,” the statement read.