The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Out, has vowed to probe the boat mishap that happened in the state on Saturday.
Recall that a boat carrying 14 medical students capsized on Saturday at about 3 p.m. in the popular Marina Resort, Calabar.
They were students from different tertiary institutions under the aegis of the Nigeria Medical Students Association (NiMSA) in Calabar for their Annual Health Week.
Men of the Nigerian Navy and some villagers helped to rescue 11 people who were on board, while three are still missing.
Reacting to the incident, the governor, in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, vowed to sanction officials of the Marina Resort found culpable of having compromised on safety standards over the cruise boat mishap.
“The governorment is saddened over this incident. We charge security and rescue agencies as well as villagers involved in the operations to find the missing students and reunite them with their families,” Otu said.
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He decried the safety standards at the resort, vowing that anyone found guilty to have compromised on safety would be severely sanctioned.
“The news of a cruise boat mishap at the Marina Resort, a tourist and relaxation destination in Calabar, is saddening and calls for concern to me, not only as your governor but as a parent.
“To imagine that the boat was overcrowded and some of those on it were without life jackets is of even greater concern and the more reason why the state government will be investigating the incident.
“All those found culpable of having compromised on safety standards will face the wrath of the law.
“As a government, we remain committed to protecting lives and providing an enabling environment for business, tourism,” he said.
According to him, any untoward action that derails the objective of the state will not be tolerated.
He showered praises on the personnel of the Nigerian Navy and villagers who responded swiftly to rescued 11 of the 14 passengers on the boat.