A 42-year-old staff of the Krachi East Municipality has drowned in the Oti River while repairing a malfunctioning pontoon engine at Dambai.
According to eyewitnesses, the victim was a skilled diver who was part of a team servicing the pontoon.
He was attempting to troubleshoot the engine when he suddenly drowned.
All attempts by the Ghana Navy rescue team to revive him were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Worawora Government morgue pending autopsy.
The pontoon that serves as a major means of transportation across the river has a history of regular malfunctions.
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In May 2024, it broke down at Dambai, leaving passengers and cargo stranded for days.
The drivers who frequently use the route complained about the recurring breakdowns and the negative impact on the people in the area.
Passengers, who were mostly traders of fish, yam, meat, eggs, and other foodstuffs, bitterly complained of their inability to convey their commodities to the market.
They called for a collaborative effort between the government and Volta Lake Transport Limited (VLT) to build a bridge on the River Oti to aid their movement.
In August 2023, the ferry developed a major fault, which caused a setback in transportation on the river.
The mechanism responsible for allowing vehicles to board the ferry broke down, rendering it immobile.
In March 2023, the vessel again developed a mechanical fault, which forced a five-day hold on business.