By Chinyere Nwoye
In the bid to improve the safety of lives and property on Anambra State inland waterways, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has donated 3500 life Jackets to the state government.
The minister, Mr. Ayotola Adegboyega who was represented by the Director, Maritime Abiotic Resources of the ministry, Mrs. Uzoamaka Okereke explained that Anambra is among the states mapped out to receive the life jackets in order to boost safety on river transportation in the state.
“This is a move on the part of the federal government in the ongoing renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure a better life for Nigerians.’’
Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike while speaking during the handing over said that the gesture was not just historic but was to further exemplify the synergy and collaborations between the National and Sub-National Governments.
She noted that the state government has continued to make measures aimed at modernizing as well as improving the safety of lives and property on our inland waterways plus the holding of stakeholders’ meetings and sensitizing/creating awareness programmes by the ministry and Nigeria Inland Water Ways (NIWA) on safety and related issues on our waterways.
She noted that the state government, through the Ministry of Transport has registered, captured and stored the biometric data of over 200 boat riders in the state spread across Otuocha, Onono, Olumbanasaa, Onitsha and Nsugbe waterfalls cum loading points.
The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Paul Odenigbo represented by the Head of Department, Planning, Research and Statistics of SEMA, Mr. Emmanuel Izuchukwu commended the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for the life jackets.
He said that the intervention came at the right time when it is mostly needed by the people, especially those residing in the riverine areas.
Mr. Odenigbo noted that over 70 percent of lives lost during boat mishaps were as a result of noncompliance with safety measures and assured that SEMA would support the initiative by sensitizing the people of the importance of the use of life jackets when traveling by water.
The handover of the items was done in the office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Transportation, Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka.
*Nwoye is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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