This Day (Lagos)
Chuks Okocha
13 December 2005
Port Harcourt — Rivers State Government has promised to do everything within its powers to prevent a reoccurrence of last Saturdayâ??s air disaster at the Port Harcourt International Airport that has left a tale of woes in many families.
Governor Peter Odili made the pledge yesterday while reacting to the outpouring of emotions from family members, relations and parents of the victims of the Sosoliso plane crash, at a Special Interdenominational Funeral Service organized by the Rivers State Government in memory of the victims at the crash site, at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Odili who underscored the need to return to God in the face of difficulties noted that the State Government would, within its capacity, leave no stone unturned in ensuring that â??we do not go through this again on this soilâ??.
He assured that the issues raised in the sermon during the church service would be directed to the appropriate authorities, and urged the bereaved families to take heart while trusting in God to ease their pains.
In his sermon, the General Overseer of Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Apostle Geoffrey Numbere said Life belongs to God and was only borrowed for human existence, and urged the people not to abuse the privileges that do not belong to them.
Numbere lamented the several incidents, which the Nigerian people have passed through in air mishaps and cautioned that except those in positions play their roles effectively, the end of misery may not be in sight.
He recalled 31 incidents of air mishaps within the Nigerian air space, including the last Sosoliso air crash in Port Harcourt and called for strengthening of the facility base of Agencies relevant to Air Operations in the country.
Responding on behalf of the bereaved families, Mr. Isaac Okemini, who lost his daughter decried the state of infrastructural decay in the Aviation industry and appealed for the sanitisation of the industry.
He cited instances where adequate infrastructure has led to reduce casualties in similar cases, and commended the Rivers State Government for providing Emergency Ambulances that offered essential services at the scene of the incident.
Dr Peter Odili read the first lesson of the Special Interdenominational Service, while his wife Justice Mary Odili performed the symbolic lighting of candle, which she handed over to families of victims of the air crash.
The service also featured good will messages, prayers for the bereaved families and the victims, the State and Federal Government as well as protection against tragic deaths.
Dignitaries that attended the service include the Nassarawa State Governor Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, Bayelsa State Governor Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Chief Austin Opara, Deputy Governor Bauchi State, as well as Chief Rufus Ada George, a former Governor of Rivers State amongst others.
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