As part of measures to further prevent avoidable loss of lives through water transportation, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, has distributed life jackets to local commercial boat owners in Agboyi-Ketu and Ikorodu West Local Council Development Areas at Agboyi water jetty, Lagos.
He, however, recalled the sad incident that happened recently at Amuwo Odofin where a boat carrying over 15 people capsized, saying, the incident was unfortunate.
He added: “This sad incident could have been averted, at least to some extent, if proper safety measures were adequately put in place.”
Presenting the jackets to beneficiaries, Ashafa noted that the security and welfare of the people were the primary purpose of government, as stipulated in the constitution.
“Therefore, safety of our people must be handled with utmost priority because it is only the living that can benefit from the fulfilment of the promises made during campaigns.
“In this regard, it is my vision to do all within my power to ensure that my constituents possess the basic equipment for safety when the need arises.
”We are gathered here today to encourage ourselves to always remain alert and safety-conscious, especially for people who use the water-ways as their major mode of transportation.
“I, therefore, use this opportunity to donate 150 life jackets to local commercial boat owners operating in the Riverine communities of Agboyi– Ketu and Ikorodu LCDA as my own quota to salvaging the lives of our people from preventable disasters,” he said.
Ashafa urged the local commercial boat operators to make use of the life jackets for its suited purpose and advised passengers to always obey safety instructions.
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