The Federal Government has Flagged off the Marine Safety Awareness Sensitization and Distribution of Life Jackets in Niger State.
Under the program, which is targeted at twelve riverine States, Three Thousand Five Hundred life jackets will be given to each beneficiary State.
The Minister of Marine And Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola made this known while flagging the distribution of the jackets at the Niger State Government House, Minna.
Of recent, many states, including Niger, have witnessed Incessant boat mishaps that claimed hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira.
The Minister of Blue and Marine Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola described these disasters as national emergencies that demand urgent, collective, and strategic intervention.
The Minister, who acknowledged the importance of waterways in the nation’s economy, attributed careless navigation, poor training, and overloading as the leading causes of inland water transportation mishaps.
Mr Oyetola explained that the exercise embarked upon by the Ministry was part of collaborative efforts with the National Inland Waterways Authority to minimize such fatalities.
The Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, expressed optimism that the measure taken by the Ministry of Blue Economy would contribute significantly.
The Chairman of the State Association of Boat Operators, Mallam Attahiru Bawa Isa, appreciated the State and Federal Governments for their efforts in curbing water disasters.
He appealed for training for members and the provision of mobilities such as ambulances for easy evacuation of victims in terms of emergencies.
There were various presentations from other speakers, such as the Managing Director Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority Bola Oyebamiji and Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of water incidents and adherence to safety procedures.
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