The Eastern Regional Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, has presented hundred (100) life jackets to both Volta Lake Transport Company and Boat Owners Association in Afram Plains South District.
It follows February 16, 2021, sudden engine failure of the pontoon while ferrying passengers and vehicles on the Afram River resulting in a near disaster.
The Pontoon stuck on the river for three days before being pulled offshore. It took the intervention of local boat operators to rescue passengers on board.
Presenting the items, the Eastern Regional Director of NADMO, Kwame Appiah Kodua said the organization is much concerned about the safety of passengers on the Afram River, therefore, urged that life jackets be worn by passengers particularly those who onboard canoes to ferry on the river.
On his part, the District Chief Executive for Afram Plains South George Ofori assured that the Assembly together with NADMO will ensure compliance with the safety protocols in water transport in the district.
The pontoon and local canoes are the only means of crossing the Afram River from Ekye to Adawso and vice versa.
Residents on the Island Communities in the district also ferry daily with local boats.
Mostly, the boats are overloaded with goods and passengers particularly during market days and social events.
Passengers do not wear life jackets when embarking on such risky journeys on the river therefore many people drown whenever a boat capsizes on the river.
The Afram Plains District Director of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, Stephen Afram advised canoe operators to desist from overloading their canoes and stop ferrying on the river whenever there is a storm or rainfall since it mostly causes an accident.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
