The Ekiti State Government has refuted media reports that the four persons who died during the week at Egbe Dam in Gbonyin Local Government Area of the state were World Bank officials.
Initial report by the News Agency of Nigeria had quoted the head of the local area council as saying the victims were officials of the international financial institution.
But a statement on Friday by Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti State Governor, Idowu Adelusi, said though the Third Urban Water Sector Reform Project was sponsored by the World Bank, the contract for the bathymetry surveying of the dam was awarded to Enviplan Nigeria Limited, whose staff were involved in the tragic incident.
The statement said the company was to work on Ureje, Egbe, Itapaji and Ero dams.
“The sad incident happened because some safety measures were not adhered to by the deceased who refused to wear life jackets and those who survived wore life jackets provided by the company,” Adelusi said.
“The victims are staff of Enviplan Nigeria Limited which is a consulting firm to the World Bank.
“The victims are Alaran Tirimisiyu, Abdulwaheed Alayande, David Malu and Albert, while the survivors are Charles Ehinlaye, Bukky Ajet and Yahaya. It should be noted that no World Bank official or Ekiti State Water Corporation staff was involved.
“The Third Urban Water Project commiserates with the families of the departed and prays that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
