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The Federal Government has initiated the distribution of 42,000 life jackets across 12 states in an effort to promote safe water transportation.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, launched the distribution during the 2025 Safety and Sensitisation/Enlightenment Campaign held in Minna on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to encourage the use of life jackets in order to minimize loss of lives and property on the country’s inland waterways.
Oyetola emphasized that the event highlights the government's steadfast commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians who depend on inland waterways for transportation and commerce.
He linked the increasing occurrence of boat accidents to human error, mechanical failures, adverse weather conditions, and insufficient safety equipment.
The minister noted that the issue of boat mishaps on inland waterways involves various complex factors that necessitate immediate attention.
He stated that each state would receive 3,500 life jackets and urged state governments, community leaders, boat operators, and the public to support the deployment, use, and strict enforcement of safety gear.
Oyetola praised Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger for his initiatives to enhance river transportation in the state.
He also declared the formation of a Special Committee on Boat Mishaps to assess incidents, identify systemic shortcomings, and suggest measures to prevent future accidents.
In his speech, the governor expressed appreciation to the minister for beginning the distribution of life jackets, starting with Niger.
Bago, represented by Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, mentioned that the state has faced numerous boat accidents.
He underscored the importance of safety measures to reduce such incidents and urged the recipients to utilize the life jackets responsibly to save lives and enhance safety.
Hajiya Hadiza Kuta, the Commissioner for Transport in Niger, pointed out that the state has deployed water marshals in all 25 local government areas to enforce safety regulations and prevent accidents on waterways.
She stressed the need for ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure the effectiveness of these safety measures.
Additionally, Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), thanked the minister for the life jacket distribution, noting that the initiative reflects his dedication to public service and commitment to humanitarian efforts.
