Kwara distributes 2,500 life jackets to riverine local governments

The Kwara State Government has declared that the safety of citizens is non-negotiable, stating its resolve to enforce the “no life jackets, no entry” rule for boat travels during the distribution of 2,500 life jackets to five riverine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State, including Moro, Kaiama, Patigi, Edu and Baruten.

In his keynote address during the event at Ipata-Jebba Water Front in Moro LGA on Tuesday, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) emphasised citizens’ safety as core to the socio-economic advancement of any society, reinstating the importance of life jackets to the boat operators and passengers aboard waterways to eradicate incidences of boat mishaps while providing sustainable economic pathways for Kwarans.

Governor AbdulRazaq who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. John Bello, acknowledged the economic potentials of rivers in the State varying from “fishing occupation, inter-city trading and commerce, charged all the beneficiaries to key into the State’s renewed transportation agenda by making sure that the life jackets are judiciously used to prevent loss of lives on the waterways.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to continue to prioritize the safety of Kwarans across all strata of life, while remaining focused on building a sustainable environment for growth.

The event was well attended by the State legislative member, who is also the Chairman House Committee on transport, Hon. Lawal Ayansola Saliu, Commissioner for Water resources, Commissioner for Environment, local government council chairmen, community leaders, representatives of the boat operators, fisher men and women, and residents across the beneficiary communities.

Hon. Ayansola on his part, said the Kwara State House of Assembly, particularly the House Committee on transport would continue to perform its legislative role to device a mechanism for regulatory standards on water transportation in the State and ensure that government interventions are fairly distributed to meet the needs of the target beneficiaries.

The State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Korasabi, reiterated the significance of the event as “a lifeline for riverine communities whose life majorly depends on the river, adding that “the provision of the life jackets underscored the pledge and committed of Governor AbdulRahman’s administration to prevent the recurrence of boat capsize that had claimed scores of lives in Patigi recently, including a few other areas.

He appreciated the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for the donation of the life jackets to the State, while assuring that the Ministry would ensure a transparent, accountable and free distribution.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh. Salau Kabir Abdullahi, described the initiative as significant, a collective quest and shared commitment of the Federal Government, the State and concerned stakeholders in the state to find a lasting solution to tragic occurrences on the waterways.

The Chairman of Moro LGA, Hon. Maryam Omotayo Wasiu represented by the Council Secretary, Nura Muhammed, lauded the State Government’s intervention as timely, saying that it would go a long way in boosting economic value-chain of the people of Jebba especially the fishermen and farmers. Meanwhile her counterpart, the Edu Local Government Chairman, who spoke through his Secretary, Mallam Gana Jubril, urged both the executive and legislative arms to pay attention to regulation and ensure actions are expedited on enforcement to sustain safety culture on waterways in the State.

The beneficiaries, who were represented by their community youth leader, Comrade Azeez Akanbi Arisekola, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for the numerous aids donated to support people’s business and life in Moro and other local governments.

Arisekola Azeez said the Kwara Government’s donation of fibre speed boats earlier this year had already brought relief and reduced accidents, adding that the life jackets would greatly enhance safety on the water ways.

He appealed for a synergy between the State Government and Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission in Nigeria (HYPERDEC) to construct concrete river embankment around the Jebba water region to guard against the consistent over flow of water level which often wrecked havoc on businesses and households in the area.

The key highlights of the event included a sensitization session and demonstration on how to make proper use of the protective device while entering boats, expected decision when in troubled waters, followed by a brief inspection tour to the river bank and practical demonstrations, showcasing the life-saving-value of life jackets.