The Federal Government has begun the distribution of 42,000 life jackets to 12 states across the country to enhance safe water transportation.
Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, commenced the distribution at the 2025 Safety and Sensitisation/Enlightenment Campaign in Minna on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative was to promote the use of life jackets reduce loss of lives and property on inland waterways across country.
“Today’s event embodies our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians who rely daily on our inland waterways for transportation, commerce, and sustenance,” Oyetola said.
He attributed the rising incidence of boat mishaps to human error, mechanical failures, adverse weather, and poor safety equipment.
The minister added that inland waterway boat mishaps was a complex factor that required urgent action.
He said 3,500 life jackets would be given to each of the states.
Oyetola urged state governments, community leaders, boat operators, and the commuting public to support the deployment, utilisation, and strict enforcement of use of safety gears.
He commended Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger for his efforts toward improving riverine transportation within the state.
He said that the initiative was part of Federal Government’s efforts to develop sustainable solutions to boat mishaps.
He announced the establishment of a Special Committee on Boat mishaps to review incidents, identify systemic deficiencies, and propose measures to eliminate accidents.
In his address, the governor commended the minister for initiating the distribution of life jackets to 12 states starting with Niger.
Bago, represented by Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of Niger House of Assembly, said the state had experienced numerous boat accidents in the country.
Bago emphasised the need for safety measures to curtail such incidences and called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the life jackets to save lives and promote safety.
Hajiya Hadiza Kuta, Commissioner for Transport in Niger, noted that the state had stationed water marshals in all 25 local government areas of the state.
She said the marshals are to enforce safety regulations and prevent accidents in the waterways across the state.
She emphasised the importance of continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure the effectiveness of the safety measures.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, expressed gratitude to the minister for the life jacket distribution.
He highlighted the minister’s commitment to service, noting that the initiative was a testament to his dedication to humanity.
(NAN)