The Kwara State Government has declared the safety of its citizens non-negotiable, announcing a strict “no life jackets, no entry” rule for boat passengers.
The government also began the distribution of 2,500 life jackets to five riverine Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The beneficiary LGAs are Moro, Kaiama, Patigi, Edu, and Baruten.
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Speaking at the launch event at Ipata-Jebba Water Front in Moro LGA, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, John Bello, stressed that citizens’ safety is fundamental to the socio-economic progress of the state.
He urged boat operators and passengers to use the life jackets judiciously to curb boat mishaps and safeguard the state’s economic activities, such as fishing and inter-city trade.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Lafia Korasabi, confirmed the provision of the life jackets was a direct response to preventing the recurrence of tragedies, citing the recent boat capsize in Patigi that claimed scores of lives.
The Commissioner acknowledged and appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the donation of the life jackets to the state.
The legislative arm threw its weight behind the initiative, with the Chairman of the House Committee on Transport, Lawal Saliu, assuring attendees that the House of Assembly will devise and enforce regulatory standards for water transportation in the state.
The local government leaders praised the intervention as timely and vital to the economic value chain of riverine communities.
The Edu Local Government Chairman, through his Secretary Gana Jubril, urged the executive and legislative arms to expedite action on enforcement to sustain the new safety culture.
Representing the beneficiaries, youth leader Azeez Arisekola thanked the governor for the life jackets.
He added that they complement the fibre speed boats the state donated earlier this year.
Arisekola, however, appealed to the state government and the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to collaborate on constructing a concrete river embankment at the Jebba water region to mitigate the havoc caused by persistent water overflow on businesses and households.
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The event ended with a practical demonstration and sensitisation session on the proper use of the life-saving devices.
