Four World Bank Officials Drown in Ekiti Dam

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, August 25th, 2016

EKITI, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Disaster struck Wednesday in Egbe Ekiti, of Gbonyin Local Council of Ekiti State, South West Nigeria, as four World Bank officials drown inside the Egbe Dam in the area.

The Ekiti State Police Command as well as the Chairman of the Local Government Folasade Akinrinmola, confirmed the sad incident Thursday to journalists.

The Council boss narrated that the development occurred Wednesday night and involved a team of seven contractors employed by the World Bank on an assessment mission to the dam. Egbe Dam is said to be the biggest out of the six dams in the State.

The Council Head explained that the officials and contractors started work Tuesday night from a section of the dam after which they moved to the other section. She confirmed that it was at this point the accident occurred.

After, Akinrimola pointed out the traditional ruler of the area was informed, while the rescue team which included an ambulance was immediately mobilized to the scene. She confirmed that those who put on life jackets were rescued by the team.

The Council Chairman indicated that those initially rescued hinted the team that more victims were still trapped in the water. The bodies of the dead were later retrieved by the local fishermen.

She also informed that one of those who escaped was a son to one of the leaders of the team. Akirinmola stated that the World Bank officials came for the visit, base on the report the Bank has received on the potentials of the dam and how it could be efficiently put to use.

The bodies of the dead according to the Council Chairman and the State’s Police Public Relations Officer DSP Alberto Adeyemi, have since been deposited to the mortuary in Ode-Ekiti, the Headquarters of the Council area.