Kwara State government yesterday received 1,000 life jackets as part of the federal government’s efforts to promote safe water travels across riverine communities in Nigeria.
The life jackets are to be distributed across riverine communities in Patigi, Edu, Baruten, Kaiama and Moro local government areas of the state.
Presenting the items in Ilorin, the state capital, the minister of marine and blue economy, Hon. Adegboyega Adetola, said a balance of 2,500 life jackets would be delivered to the state soon.
etola, who was represented by the director, maritime services, Dr Mercy Ilori, said the initiative was a strategic step to make water transport safer and more reliable.
He said boat mishaps remained a recurring and avoidable tragedy in many parts of the country, caused by poor safety practices, especially the failure to wear life jackets.
He urged all boat and ferry operators to make safety a priority, adding that wearing a life jacket is a responsibility.
“The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is taking practical steps to prevent such losses and ensure that every journey by water is a safe one by using the three core pillars: strict enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, sustained public education and sensitisation on safety, and provision of life-saving gear, particularly life jackets to waterway users across the country,” he said.
In his remarks, the secretary to Kwara State government, Prof Mamman Jibril, who represented the governor, implored the benefiting communities and boat operators to ensure that passengers use the life jackets regularly.
“We should not keep the jackets at home; we must use it because if we use it, the ministry will be happy with Kwara. Let me re-emphasise that we should not keep it at home but use it for our safety,” he said.
Jibril commended President Tinubu for providing the jackets and the ministry for putting in its best to forestall loss of lives and properties to boat mishaps.
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