By Emma Amaize

WARRI — CHAIRMAN of maritime workers in Bomadi, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Jonathan Ogodobiri, has denied reports that an official of the association, Mr. ThankGod Whisky, killed a boat driver, Mr. Kuku Endurance.

He said though Endurance’s death was a mystery, detractors made the false allegation ostensibly to incite the public against the union and crumble commercial boat transportation in the area.

Whisky, who is the beach clerk of the workers’ association, it was gathered, had a disagreement with Endurance over an attempt by the latter to jump the queue and pick passengers, but it did not degenerate to fisticuffs, it was learnt.

He said: “I witnessed the entire incident. I came to the waterside after a distress call as we operate in groups A and B. The deceased had finished his turn in group B, and it was the turn of group A to carry passengers. He just came from the creek and was attempting to poach passengers, numbering five from the jetty and was caught by the clerk.

‘’The deceased attempted to bribe the beach clerk with N1,000 to allow him to pick the five passenger to the creek, but he rejected the bribe.  Suddenly, the deceased, who was agrieved over the action of the beach clerk jumped into his boat and escaped with the five passengers to the creek.

“The quarrel between the two was  verbal and not physical,” he said, adding that  maritime workers in Bomadi were surprised to read in the newspapers, claims by the family that Whisky strangled Endurance to death, as such a thing never happened.