As part of ongoing efforts to curb boat mishaps by increasing the availability of quality life-jackets in coastal states, the Federal Government has donated 3500 life-jackets to Lagos State Government.
The presentation of the life-jackets which took place on Wednesday is a renewed push to strengthen safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, even as it also featured a practical exercise on how to wear the life-jackets and step-by-guide for boat operators and passengers during a boat mishap.
Speaking at the event which held at the headquarters of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, posited that the federal government has set a target of zero casualties from boat mishaps in 2025.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Director of Maritime Services at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Mercy Ilori, emphasized the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting a safety-first culture, particularly in riverine communities where water transport is essential for daily commuting.
According to the Minister, the distribution of life jackets had already taken place in Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Akwa Ibom States and is expected to continue across other coastal states in the coming months.
“As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, this campaign is anchored on three pillars: enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, continuous public sensitization, and provision of life-saving equipment including life jackets,” Oyetola said.
The Minister, however, commended the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for its progressive efforts in transforming the state’s water transport system.
He also applauded the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its role in ensuring regulatory compliance and public education across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Oyetola charged boat operators and ferry associations to make the use of life jackets compulsory, describing them as “shields, not inconveniences.”
“Imbibe the slogan: No life jacket, no entry,” he said, urging traditional rulers, community leaders, and transport unions to support the campaign at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, described the life jacket distribution as a timely and impactful initiative.
The Lagos State Commissioner noted that while over 85 percent of daily transportation in Lagos is done by road, the waterway remains a vital alternative mode of transport in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry and NIWA for their continued support in enhancing safety and innovation on the waterways.
On his part, the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, underscored the critical importance of safety in the water transport sector, noting that “unlike in financial terms where profit is the bottom line, in the maritime sector, safety is the profit.”
He revealed that six states have so far benefited from the campaign, and posited that the agency hopes to reach 12 coastal states within the next one to two years.
“We are working towards a future where there are zero mishaps on our inland waterways. It is possible, and we are determined to get there,” Oyebamiji remarked.
In his welcome remarks, the General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said the event was not only a demonstration of inter-agency collaboration but also a strong reminder that safety must remain a top priority in the development of the marine and blue economy.
“Safety is what sustains our waterways. The federal and state governments are united in their commitment to making inland water transport a safe, viable, and sustainable option for all Nigerians,” Emmanuel stressed.
The event was attended by the leadership of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), United Waterways Passengers Association (UWPA), private boat operators, top officials of the Blue Economy Ministry, NIWA, LASWA, among others.
