Posted by By JOE EFFIONG, Uyo on
A Nigerian subsistent fisherman, Mr. Eto Okon Edem, has hit a goldmine in the Camerounian waters.
A Nigerian subsistent fisherman, Mr. Eto Okon Edem, has hit a goldmine in the Camerounian waters. He has become N2 million richer but in death. The money (6.92 million francs), which is now going to his family as compensation, is sequel to the untimely death of the fisherman which occurred when his fishing boat was accidentally run over on March 14, 2005, by a ship owned by Surf Company, a Camerounian company based in Douala.
Daily Sun learnt that Edem from Uruan in Akwa Ibom State was fishing with two of his partners in the Camerounian area of the disputed Bakassi Peninsula when their boat developed a fault and could not start and as such they could not get out of the path of the on-coming ship which eventually ran over them.
It was learnt that the company's officials on board the ship had rushed Edem and his two companions by helicopter to a hospital where he died but the other two injured fishermen survived.
Nigeria's Consul General in the Nigerian Consulate at Baea, Cameroun, Dr. Godknows Boladei, had to personally deliver the money to Akwa Ibom State deputy governor, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong, who later in an off-the-camera ceremony in his lodge, passed down the money to the deceased's wife, Imelda and the son, Anietie.
Daily Sun learnt that the deputy governor decided to shield the handing over ceremony from the public so as not to attract unnecessary and even dangerous attention to the deceased's family.
But while Ekpenyong took delivery of the money from Boladei, he sympathised with the deceased's family and commended the company for the compensation to the family.
"This, money which is cash, will be given to the family and I hope that the widow of the late fisherman will use it wisely and for the education of their fatherless children".
The Consul General regretted that all efforts by the Surf Company to save the life of the deceased had failed and added that the company had earlier borne the burial cost.
He said that though the fishermen were fishing in "restricted waters when the accident occurred", his office still had to take up the responsibility of initiating discussion with the company leading to immediate release of the money for the family.