Kwara receives 1,000 life jackets from FG to boost water transport safety, with more to come for riverine communities in five local government areas

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ater transport safety received a major boost in Kwara State as the Federal Government delivered 1,000 life jackets for use across the state’s riverine communities.

Also read: Lagos govt, LASWA collaborate with private boat operators to enhance water transportation

The initiative, unveiled in Ilorin on Friday, is part of a broader national effort to improve safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Communities in Patigi, Edu, Baruten, Kaiama and Moro Local Government Areas are the primary beneficiaries. These regions, located along vital water routes, often rely on boats and ferries for transportation.

With the delivery of these life jackets, the Federal Government hopes to reduce the incidence of boat accidents.

Speaking during the presentation, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by Dr Mercy Ilori, confirmed that a further 2,500 jackets would soon follow.

He described the intervention as a strategic step towards making water travel both safer and more reliable.

Boat mishaps, often fatal, continue to threaten lives in riverine parts of Nigeria. Oyetola noted that most of these tragedies stem from poor safety practices and the absence of essential safety gear like life jackets.

He emphasised that safety must become the default culture for all water users.

The ministry is adopting a three-pronged strategy: enforcement of Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, continuous public education on water safety, and free distribution of protective gear.

“Every journey by water must become a safe one,” he said.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mamman Jibril, who stood in for the governor, called on community members to use the jackets rather than store them.

He stressed that compliance would not only ensure safety but encourage further federal support.

Professor Jibril thanked the Federal Government for the gesture and praised the ministry’s dedication to saving lives. He described the jackets as critical tools in preventing avoidable loss of life and property on water routes.

Also speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Aliyu Kora-Sabi, reinforced the importance of using life jackets.

“These are not just pieces of equipment,” he said. “They are life-saving devices that can make the difference between life and death.”

With the rainy season underway and water levels rising, this development offers reassurance to thousands who rely on boats as a daily mode of transport in Kwara.