Man gives tips on travelling by water..
By Olawale Lamina
Finally, the movie producer in which late Junior Pope was to star has spoken out on what efforts were made to ensure the safety of the bereaved actor.
The movie producer, Adanma Luke, was quoted on a Facebook page as saying,
“I provided a life jacket to Junior Pope, but he rejected it, saying that the life jacket was too dirty.
“According to my production manager, who was also in the same boat, Junior Pope survived the boat caps!zing initially, and it was even Junior Pope who was asking him if everyone was okay.
“Junior Pope even threw a gallon to him to use and support himself.
“But all of a sudden, Junior Pope went missing.”
Before coming up with her side of the story, many netizins had criticized the producer and suspected a foul play in the event that culminated in the untimely death of the Cameroon born actor.
The actor died on Wednesday, after he fell into the River Niger in Asaba, Delta state, on his way to a movie location.
The movie star was in company of some other actors and crew members when the incident occurred.
In the wake of the sad development , a concerned Nigerian, Bako Mda Reuben had taken to his Facebook page to emphasize the importance of using life jacket whenever anyone travels by sea.
He educated Nigerians based on his experience working offshore as an oil worker.
Excerpts of his message titled: “You see this Life jacket!!!!” are seen below:
“You See this Life Jacket!!!!
“It seems like a joke, but this is your only chance of survival in the sea.
“I worked offshore and I can tell you, water is such a powerful scary creation (sic.)
“Some of you don’t take life serious and when I see people go on the sea without safety precautions, I don’t pity them coz they don’t value their lives.
“2020-2022, I was travelling from Akwa Ibom to Bonny Island and island to Port Hacourt almost every week/ month – Via Ogoni water ways or Nembe water- through Delta waters to Port Harcourt.
“Best time to travel by sea is in the morning- 6Am-11am. From 12pm down- The waves will increase and as such comes the rough sea conditions.
“Note- Wind is directly proportional to the wave.
“I usually at all time would ask the boat driver or the boys at the jetty right there to help me make sure I am wearing this life jacket very well as there’s a certain way you have to wear the jacket- it has to fit in very well and tightly worn.
“N/B- If you don’t wear this life jacket well, if any accident happens, the life jacket will drown you.. so you have to make sure it’s worn the right way.
“These small boats are not regulated. The engines are always bad. Many times in the middle of the sea, the engines will go off and the waves will be closing in on you in the middle of the rough sea.These are dangerous practices. These men risk the lives of many travellers each day and nothing is done about it. All they care about is their money.
The boat driver is well experienced and knows how to swim very well. He will survive when the accident happens. And you will probably swallow water and drown.
“SAFETY FIRST AND SAFETY ALWAYS. The goal is to work and go back home safely to your loved ones.Use life Jacket at all times.
I”If There’s no life jacket, DO NOT board that boat.DO NOT BOARD THE BOAT!!! This is the minimum required safety gear for boarding an open boat.
“Request for it.
“Nollywood itself isn’t regulated.
“You are going for a shoot!!!
“”Minimum requirements-
- An Ambulance with a medical personnel
- An experienced Diver
- A medical facility close to the shooting location.
“But I guess these producers don’t like spending money.”
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