Deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and a team from the North Tongu district assembly last week mourned with the families of the victims of last Saturday’s boat accident on the Volta lake. The deputy minister, who is also governing National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) parliamentary candidate for the area told Joy News the accident could have been avoided. The deputy minister visited the families of the three who perished in the boat accident on Saturday. He first visited Doffor Adidome to meet with the family of Samuel Fuworyi. He then went to Torgorme to meet with the families of Joyce Akligo - 18, who was carrying a pregnancy, and Mary Dorsu - 19- whose one-year-old baby survived the boat accident. Mr. Ablakwa told Joy News these avoidable deaths can no longer be tolerated. “Am outraged that in this day and age and given how far we have come as a country, innocent people working hard should lose their lives on the Volta River”, he said. He asked the DCE for North Tongu to pass a by-law that will intensify education on safety on the river, and to ensure that boat operators are monitored to ensure compliance with the laws. “I have made arrangements for a bigger boat which will be arriving soon”, he announced. The North Tongu District Chief Executive, Alhaji Bube said his outfit is also making two out-board motors available to the community to make transport on the river a bit safer. The families of the dead have requested that the police release the bodies to them on time so they can give them a befitting burial. Mr. Ablakwa assured them that he would meet with the police to facilitate the release of the bodies on time.