…tasks boat operators on water safety, commits to Zero Mishap Vision
Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, has officially launched the distribution of 3,500 life jackets in Lagos State, as part of the federal government’s nationwide water safety campaign aimed at enhancing security on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The event, held during a marine safety sensitisation and life jackets distribution exercise in Lagos, underscores the ministry’s unwavering commitment to a safety-first culture, particularly in riverine communities where water transport is a daily mode of movement.
Oyetola, represented by Mercy Ilori, a director in the ministry, disclosed that the initiative already carried out in Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Akwa Ibom States, would extend to other coastal states over the coming months, with a target of reaching 12 states within the shortest possible time.
Highlighting the importance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister outlined three core pillars of the campaign, which include the enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, ongoing public sensitisation on safety, and the provision of life-saving equipment, including life jackets.
Read also: Oyetola pledges an end to loss of lives on Nigerian waters
Oyetola praised the proactive efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in transforming water transportation in Lagos and commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its regulatory oversight and public awareness drives.
The Minister, while calling for grassroots participation, urged boat operators, community leaders, and transport unions to adopt the life-saving slogan “No life jacket, no entry.”
He stressed that life jackets are shields, not inconveniences, and called on all stakeholders to make water safety a shared responsibility.
Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos state commissioner for transportation, described the initiative as a timely intervention.
With over 85 percent of daily commutes in Lagos currently done via road, Osiyemi emphasised the importance of expanding safe and reliable water transport to meet the needs of the state’s growing population.
“This initiative is not just about safety gear; it’s about building a safety culture,” Osiyemi said, thanking the Federal Ministry and NIWA for their support and partnership.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the marine and blue economy sector, reinforcing the shared vision of a safe, secure, and efficient inland water transport system across Nigeria.
Bola Oyebamiji, managing director of NIWA, in his address, emphasised that in the water transport sector, safety is the real measure of success.
“While profitability is key in finance, safety is our profit here,” Oyebamiji stated.
Read also: How Adegboyega Oyetola is transforming Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy
He reiterated NIWA’s determination to achieve zero fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways and confirmed that six of the twelve targeted states have already benefited from the campaign.
“We are committed to reaching the rest in the next one to two years,” Oyebamiji said.
He highlighted the strict safety enforcement in Nigeria: “Here, if you don’t wear a life jacket, you don’t get into the boat. It’s that serious.”
Earlier, Damilola Emmanuel, general manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), welcomed participants and applauded the federal government’s leadership on safety.
“This is more than just a distribution, it is a significant step toward sustainable water transport. Safety is what keeps our waterways functional and reliable,” Emmanuela said.
