The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has donated 3,500 life jackets to the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in a major effort to improve safety on Nigeria’s waterways. The donation ceremony took place on Wednesday at the LASWA headquarters, located at the Five Cowries Terminal in Ikoyi, Lagos.
This initiative is a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring safe and efficient water transport systems across the country, with particular attention to Lagos State, where waterways play a vital role in daily commuting.
Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Director of Marine Services, Mercy Ilori, highlighted the importance of the donation in promoting a safety-first culture, especially in communities that rely heavily on water transportation.
Oyetola praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his dedication and efforts in redefining water transport in the state.
He acknowledged that the issue of boat mishaps and fatalities remains a serious concern and noted that many of these incidents are preventable.
He stressed that a major contributing factor to such tragedies is the neglect of basic safety practices, particularly the use of life jackets.
He said in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry is prioritizing life-saving interventions aimed at producing real, tangible results for citizens.
The Minister explained that the government is employing a multifaceted approach to improve waterway safety. This includes the enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, the continuation of public education and awareness campaigns, and the distribution of essential safety equipment such as life jackets.
He reiterated the central role of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in overseeing regulations, ensuring compliance, and supporting safety education and enforcement efforts nationwide.
He called for stronger collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities and urged traditional rulers, community leaders, boat operators, and transport unions to help instill a culture of safety at the grassroots level.
He also encouraged boat operators and ferry associations to see life jackets not as a burden but as protective tools that safeguard lives, emphasizing the slogan, “No life jacket, no entry.”
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, commended the donation as a timely and much-needed intervention.
He emphasized the importance of the waterways as an alternative mode of transportation, noting that over 85 percent of daily transport in Lagos is conducted via road.
Osiyemi thanked the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as well as NIWA for their ongoing support in enhancing safety and innovation in Nigeria’s water transport sector.
NIWA’s Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, highlighted the significance of safety in the transport industry and revealed that six out of the twelve targeted coastal states have already benefited from the life jacket distribution campaign.
He expressed confidence that the remaining states would be covered within the next one to two years. According to him, the agency is committed to achieving a future with zero mishaps on the country’s inland waterways.
In his welcome remarks, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) General Manager, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, emphasized that the event served as a strong reminder that safety must remain a priority in developing the marine and blue economy.
He affirmed that both the federal and state governments share a unified vision of making inland water transport a safe, viable, and sustainable option for Nigerians.
Emmanuel added that the life jackets would further support LASWA’s ongoing safety programs and promote the consistent use of life jackets among all waterway users.
The National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Tarzan Balogun, expressed appreciation to the Minister and confirmed that members of the association in other states have also received life jackets from the ministry. He said the gesture reflects the Ministry’s genuine concern for safety and urged all boat operators to put the jackets to good use.
A representative of private boat operators, Dorcas Aderemi, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to working closely with relevant agencies to ensure the continued safety of Nigeria’s waterways.
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