Lagos will distribute 5,000 life jackets to commercial boat operators in the state for commuters’ use.
The Commissioner for Rural Development, Cornelius Ojelabi, made the disclosure on Friday at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos.
He said the state government decided to buy and distribute the life jackets because of the frequent boat mishaps and the attendant loss of lives.
According to him, Gov. Babatunde Fashola has agreed to supply the jackets for the use of citizens.
The Commissioner for Rural Development, Cornelius Ojelabi, made the disclosure on Friday at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos.
He said the state government decided to buy and distribute the life jackets because of the frequent boat mishaps and the attendant loss of lives.
According to him, Gov. Babatunde Fashola has agreed to supply the jackets for the use of citizens.
“The aim is to assist operators who cannot afford to buy life jackets for the safety of the people,” he said.
Ojelabi added that once the jackets are distributed to operators, anybody caught commuting on any water transportation without a jacket will be prosecuted according to the law.
“The state will not wait until there is a disaster before it enforces the use of the jackets,” he said.
The commissioner urged council administrators to educate their people on the importance of using the jackets and to enforce its use in their respective areas.
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