Dear Editor,
It is so horrible when people are killed in an accident. So many lives have been lost over the years on our roads and waterways, not omitting those who died through industrial accidents. A revelation of the statistics would be truly sickening.
Just recently there have been at least two boat accidents with the loss of several lives. Children have been left fatherless and wives have suddenly become widows and single parents; now they have to become bread-winners, something some are not accustomed to. The question which begs for an answer is, why, what and how are these accidents caused and were there safety measures in place, or were there none? I am told boats plying that Mazaruni route are never equipped with lifejackets. If this is true, why did the authorities turn a blind eye to this unwholesome practice? Why were boats not pulled out of operation and made to comply with the law? Why do the authorities wait until there is a tragedy of these enormous proportions before action is taken and the law is enforced?
I had a friend on one of those vessels, and of course he died leaving his wife with two children. This young man was a loving, caring, committed husband and father, and very devoted to the future of his family; he started his family house but alas it is left incomplete as sadly he is no more.
Would the families who lost their loved ones be compensated? Do passenger vessels which ply our rivers have insurance to cover accidents, and would action be taken against the erring captains/operators?
Yours faithfully,
Ivan John
