Delta Speaker Escapes Death In Tragic Boat Accident

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, was reportedly involved in the tragic boat accident that resulted in the loss of five lives in Delta State on Tuesday.

Naija News reported earlier that at least five individuals died following the capsizing of a boat on the well-known Bennett Island River in the Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

Reports indicate that five individuals lost their lives, six sustained injuries, and twenty others remain unaccounted for following the catastrophic boat accident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital, noting that one person remains unaccounted for.

However, a subsequent statement released on Wednesday by Guwor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, noted that the House Speaker was involved in the incident.

According to him, Guwor is still grappling with the emotional impact of the incident.

The statement further explained that the speaker was returning to Asaba, passing through Warri, following an engagement with constituents on that fateful Friday afternoon.

“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, en route 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.