In a renewed push to strengthen safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, has flagged off the distribution of 3,500 life jackets in Lagos State.

The initiative, which is part of a nationwide water safety sensitization campaign, held on Wednesday in Lagos and attracted key stakeholders in the maritime and transport sectors.

The Minister, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, 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 stated.

The Minister 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. He 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.

“This initiative is not just about distributing safety gear, it is about creating a safety culture that boosts public confidence in water transport,” Osiyemi noted. He also 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 our sector, safety is the profit.”

He revealed that six states have so far benefited from the campaign, and 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 stated.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola 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 said.

The event was attended by officials from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIWA, LASWA, transport unions, ferry operators, and other stakeholders, as the government reaffirmed its resolve to foster safer and more efficient inland water transportation across the country.