In a significant advancement for water safety and to curb accidents on the nation’s inland waterways, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday, presented 3,500 life jackets to the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
The donation, which took place at LASWA headquarters in Lagos, reinforced the federal government’s unwavering commitment to ensure safe and efficient water transport systems nationwide, with a special focus on Lagos State, the busiest waterways hub in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the minister explained that the initiative highlighted the crucial importance of safety in Nigeria’s water transport sector, particularly as the nation ramps up efforts to unlock the vast economic potential of the blue economy.
The minister who was represented by the Director of Maritime Services, Mercy Ilori, lauded the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his effort to redefine water transportation in the state.
“I extend sincere appreciation to the Government of Lagos State led by His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his effort and zeal in redefining water transportation in the state. It is well-noticed and quite commendable. I also extend my appreciation to the good people of Lagos State. Indeed, excellence is your workforce and you have demonstrated it again. Your warm reception and hospitality are quite appreciable.
“The distribution of life jackets in Lagos State is a current and important initiative to foster a culture of safety on our waterways, particularly in communities where water transport is an essential part of daily lives.
“This campaign has been conducted in Niger State; we have done that in Bayelsa, Anambra State, and Akwa Ibom, and so we are here; we will move to other littoral states in the coming weeks.”
The minister said the federal government is committed to ending the avoidable loss of lives on the Nigerian waterway, saying many boat mishaps in the inland waterways are avoidable.
“The challenge posed by water is high, and rarely detected as fatalities across the country remain a grave concern to the government. So, many of these mishaps are preventable and often arise from neglect of basic safety measures, particularly the use of life jackets.
“It is in recognition of this that the marine and blue economy aligned with the renewed hope agenda of the President of Nigeria, to patronize life-saving interventions, to bring about tangible change in the nation’s waterway. Our commitment is to end the avoidable loss of lives on the Nigerian waterway.”
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, explained that due to the huge population of the State, it adopts a multi-modal transport system, which leads to the movement of Lagosians and goods—rail, road, and water.
“I’m so happy today that we have this initiative from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. It will not only boost safety, but it will also help in extending our reach now to a lot of our private operators that have, over time, had challenges in getting these life jackets.
“One thing that I can assure you is that it’s also going to reassure people. What we have is that people do have a phobia for water, but the moment they start seeing intentional moves on the waterways, more life jackets, and better boats on the waterways, we’ll be able to secure the waterways and free our roads from congestion,” Osiyemi stated.
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