Tata-Abotoase (Volta Region) 10th June ?99

It has now been confirmed that the passenger boat, which capsized on the Volta lake last Friday and left an unspecified number of people dead was overloaded.

The boat was reported to be carrying more than 100 people at the time of the accident instead of the stipulated 40.

A rescue team at Abotoase has retrieved six bodies, which included those of five women traders.

Other communities along the lake have also retrieved some of the bodies.

These were disclosed to Vice President J. E. A. Mills, when he visited the landing site of the lake at Tata-Abotoase to express government's condolence to the bereaved families over the accident.

Prof. Mills is on a four-day working tour of seven out of the 12 districts in the Volta region.

Briefing the Vice President and his entourage, which included ministers of state and MPs, Nana Ogronwe Anyinam Kwaku Boateng II, Paramount Chief of Tata Traditional Area, said the boat was carrying traders from Kete-Krachi and surrounding communities to the market at Daboase, when it capsized during a severe storm.

The chief suggested that the government sets up a "monitoring system" for boat operators at all the landing sites to ensure that they carry only the stipulated number of passengers, who should be provided with life-saving jackets.

Nana Boateng further suggested an insurance scheme for passenger boats operating on the lake as was done for vehicles on the road.

Prof. Mills later addressed some operators and boat owners at the lakeside and cautioned them to adhere to safety regulations.

He told them of proposals to streamline their operations and asked them to co-operate or face the law.

Mr Steve Akorli, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, also expressed the Ministry's condolence to the bereaved families and called for an intensified education to improve transportation on the lake.

He said the Ministry is in the process of introducing a bill in Parliament, which would enforce safety regulations on transportation on the lake.

Mr Akorli recalled the lake accident in 1995, in which more than 100 people lost their lives, saying since then, the Ministry has adopted measures to streamline the operations on the lake.

It is a requirement that every passenger boat is marked with a maximum loading line.

The Ministry and the Volta River Authority have also commissioned a lake patrol unit to conduct periodic checks on passenger boats on the lake.

Mr Akorli said the shipping division of the Ministry has also been educating operators on the need to maintain safety standards.

However, he noted, there are some recalcitrant operators, who pay little attention to these measures because of selfish gains.

Meanwhile, the Kedjebi Police said it is continuing investigations into the accident.