Private boat operators at the popular King Couple Jetty, also popularly known as Newman's Jetty, along the NPA Expressway in Warri, Delta State, were taken aback on resumption of duty by the discovery that majority of their boats were sitting ducks under the water after an all-night rainfall on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

PENGlobal Community which happened to be on the site of the incident saw a couple of young men all over the creek water putting all efforts to recover their sunken boats and engines.

"It is a terrible situation," lamented Mr. kaka Anthony, the Managing Director of Kaka Anthony Ventures Nigeria Limited, a company that oversees the hiring of boats to passengers.

"Though we are not new to it. Every raining season we go through this major ordeal as the down pour always leave us at the mercy of God as rain water fills the boats and cause them to sink.

"However, it's quite unfortunate that nobody is showing concern, particularly the local and state government, to this our peculiar challenge, even though majority of people make use of our services," he added.

Speaking on the way forward, he appealed to stakeholders to assist the boat operators by “providing shelter for boats as the creek is wide enough for such infrastructure to help create a shade for boats whenever it rains.”

Mr. Anthony also complained of sea weeds, popularly known as laqua, that also flood the creek to occupy spaces, contributing to a situation of inconvenience for boat operators.

The atmosphere at the Newman's Jetty is quite a saddening one. More than 2,000 people patronise the jetty on a daily basis for their water transportation needs. It is hoped that a permanent solution will be provided to end the annual challenge for boat operators in that location, who sadly, operate a trade in a marine sector that is wholly neglected by the government.

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