The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive Life-Jacket Safety Initiative, calling on waterway commuters across the country to make safety a top priority and strictly adhere to established guidelines aimed at preventing the recurring incidence of boat mishaps.
This initiative, which seeks to reduce the growing rate of accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways, was unveiled in Taraba State as part of broader efforts to enhance marine transport safety nationwide.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in a statement issued on Friday through the ministry’s Director of Information and Communications, Mrs. Anastasia Ogbonna.
Representing the Minister at the official launch was Mr. Hussieni Shettima, the Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation, and Technology, who led the event in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. During the occasion, a crucial consignment of life-jackets was formally handed over to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Jalingo Area Office.
This symbolic gesture, according to the Minister, marks a significant phase in the government’s ongoing campaign to drastically reduce water-related accidents in the region and across the country.
Oyetola explained that the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Taraba State Government, reflecting the importance of intergovernmental cooperation in tackling safety challenges on the nation’s rivers and waterways.
He emphasized that such joint action would yield tangible, life-saving benefits for residents and travellers who depend on water transportation for daily commuting and commerce.
The Minister highlighted the strategic role of key rivers in the region — including the Benue, Donga, and Taraba Rivers — noting that these waterways are vital economic corridors for trade and travel in many communities.
According to him, the life-jackets will provide essential safety support for those navigating these routes, especially in underserved areas where boat travel is the primary means of transport.
However, Oyetola stressed that distributing safety equipment alone is not enough. He called for community cooperation, sustained public education, and rigorous enforcement of waterway safety laws. The effectiveness of the initiative, he said, depends heavily on the willingness of boat operators and passengers to comply with safety measures and adopt life-saving practices such as the consistent use of life-jackets.
He reiterated that the Federal Government remains committed to safeguarding lives on all Nigerian waterways and urged relevant agencies, community leaders, and civil society organizations to support awareness and advocacy efforts that promote water safety.
The Minister affirmed that the Life-Jacket Initiative is not only a safety campaign but also an integral part of the Federal Government’s long-term vision under the Blue Economy strategy — a vision that prioritizes sustainable, safe, and inclusive development of Nigeria’s vast marine and aquatic resources.
He called on all Nigerians who use the waterways to embrace safety consciousness, noting that preventing boat accidents begins with individual responsibility and ends with collective action.