By RITA ILIYA

The Federal Government has flagged off 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, flagged off the distribution at the commencement of 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 aimed at reducing boat mishaps and promoting safety on inland waterway across country.

Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal government?s commitment to the safety, welfare, and protection of every citizen, particularly those within vulnerable communities who depend on waterways.

?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,? he said.

He attributed the rising incidence of boat mishaps to human error, mechanical failures, adverse weather, and poor safety equipment, adding that inland waterway boat mishaps was a complex factor that required urgent action.

The minister said 3,500 life jackets would be given to each of the states.

He said the gesture was part of the Federal Government?s efforts to promote safe transportation across the marine environment.

Oyetola urged state governments, community leaders, boat operators, and the commuting public to support the deployment, utilisation, and strict enforcement of safety gears.

He commended Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, for his efforts toward improving riverine transportation within the state, saying 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.

Earlier in her welcome address, 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 to enforce safety regulations and prevent accidents.

She emphasised the importance of continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure the effectiveness of the safety measures.

In his address, the governor commended the minister for initiating the distribution of life jackets to 12 states, with Niger being the flag-off location.

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 on the state?s inland waterways.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, expressed gratitude to the minister for the life jacket distribution and Niger government for providing an enabling environment.

He highlighted the minister?s commitment to service, noting that the initiative was a testament to his dedication to humanity.

In their separate remarks, Dr Yahaya Abubakar, Chairman, Niger state Traditional Council and Chairman, Association of Boats Operators, expressed gratitude to the Federal government for the life jackets initiative. (NAN)

?PHOTO: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola, flagging off the distribution at the commencement of the 2025 Safety and Sensitisation/Enlightenment Campaign in Minna on Tuesday

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