LIFE JACKETS
Federal Government has commenced the distribution of a total of 42,000 life jackets to 12 states across the country to enhance safe water transportation.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced this during the commencement at the 2025 Safety and Sensitisation/Enlightenment Campaign in Minna on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said the initiative which would give each of the states, 3,500 life jackets, was to promote the use of life jackets reduce loss of lives and property on inland waterways across country.
“Today’s event embodies our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians who rely daily on our inland waterways for transportation, commerce, and sustenance,”.
Mr Oyetola attributed the rising incidence of boat mishaps to human error, mechanical failures, adverse weather, and poor safety equipment adding that inland waterway boat mishaps was a complex factor that required urgent action.
He urged state governments, community leaders, boat operators, and the commuting public to support the deployment, utilisation, and strict enforcement of use of safety gears.
While commended Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger state for his efforts toward improving riverine transportation, the minister said that the initiative was part of Federal Government’s efforts to develop sustainable solutions for boat mishaps.
He announced the establishment of a Special Committee on Boat mishaps to review incidents, identify systemic deficiencies, and propose measures to eliminate accidents.
In his address, the governor commended the minister for initiating the distribution of life jackets to 12 states starting with Niger.
Represented by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, the Governor said the state had experienced numerous boat accidents and emphasised the need for safety measures to curtail such incidences by using the life Jackets judiciously to save lives and promote safety.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, expressed gratitude to the minister for the life jacket distribution.
He highlighted the minister’s commitment to service, noting that the initiative was a testament to his dedication to humanity.
Edited by Uduak -Culled from NAN
