The Kogi Government has distributed 2,500 life jackets to members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) as part of measures to improve waterway safety and reduce boat accidents across the state.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Victor Atuluku, disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja while presenting the safety equipment to the beneficiaries.
Atuluku described the distribution as a major step towards strengthening safety in the state’s maritime transportation sector.
He stressed that providing life jackets alone was not enough, urging boat operators and passengers to comply strictly with navigation regulations and use the equipment properly to prevent avoidable deaths.
The commissioner said the state government was working with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and other stakeholders to create a safer transportation system that would protect passengers and boat operators.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for initiatives aimed at improving waterway safety and appealed for additional interventions to strengthen maritime security.
Atuluku also praised Gov. Ahmed Ododo for prioritising public safety, compliance with navigation regulations and the development of riverine communities across the state.
The Kogi Chairman of MWUN, Abdullahi Yusuf, thanked the Federal Government, Kogi Government and Ministry of Transportation for the intervention.
Yusuf described the distribution as a significant achievement for the union and assured the government that beneficiaries would use the life jackets responsibly and comply with water traffic regulations.
He, however, appealed for more safety equipment and sustained collaboration with relevant agencies.
Mr Titus Adoga, Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Dockyard, commended the state government for the initiative and assured it of NIWA’s continued cooperation to reduce waterway accidents.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Mouktar Atimah, also pledged stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, boat operators, communities and other stakeholders to improve water safety, public awareness and emergency response.
Atimah described life jackets as one of the simplest and most effective measures for reducing fatalities during boat accidents and other water-related emergencies. He urged operators to observe navigation rules at all times.
The State Coordinator of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Dr Michael Ajayi, described the intervention as timely and life-saving, particularly for communities that depend heavily on water transportation.
“N-HYPPADEC will always support every developmental stride of the state,” Ajayi said, urging beneficiaries to complement government efforts by promoting safety on the waterways.
He also called on NIWA and the Marine Police to strengthen enforcement of navigation regulations.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Police Command, SP Ali Usman, thanked the state government for the donation, noting that it came at a critical period when water levels were high across the waterways.
Usman stressed the need for strict compliance with water traffic regulations and disclosed that efforts were underway to establish a mobile court to prosecute violators and deter further breaches.
He also called for stronger cooperation among the Marine Police, NIWA and other relevant agencies to ensure effective enforcement.
The representative of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mrs Fumilayo Ibikunle, commended the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of the commitment of the Federal and state governments to protecting lives in riverine communities.
She assured the state government of the organisation’s continued support for disaster preparedness and water safety initiatives.
The event also featured a practical demonstration on the proper use of life jackets and other waterway safety measures.
