By Aderonke Adeyeri

LAGOS—The Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, yesterday, distributed over 200 life jackets to 17 boat operators in Aiyetoro, Epe, Lagos State in continuation of the agency’s Water Safety Awareness programme which was inaugurated in 2012.

Mr Yinka Marinho, LASWA’s Managing Director told newsmen during the distribution of the life jackets that the gesture was to boost waterways safety in the state.

He said: “This is in continuation of our water safety programme which we have been doing yearly. Governor Fashola flagged off the distribution with 2,000 life jackets at the Ebute-Ojo terminal and boat operators in Badagry, Ikorodu, and Ojo had previously received similar gestures.”

Marinho emphasized that the distribution of life jackets at this time was a preventive measure to curtail boat mishap like what happened during the presidential elections where four persons lost their lives.

“It is unfortunate we had a boat mishap here in (Epe) during the presidential elections when four persons lost their lives. We have come to sympathize with their families and also distribute life jackets to prevent future mishaps. Lagos State government will continue to see to the safety of the citizens regardless of elections.”

In the same vein, he advised operators to disembark any passenger who refuses to use the life jacket which represents the use of seat belt in vehicles.

“We know it’s another busy weekend of elections where many people would use the waterways to their polling booths. Please, disembark any passenger who refuses to use the life jacket,” he said.

However, Mr Anthony Agadi, a boat operator thanked the agency for the gesture saying, “if they had life jackets, last week’s mishap may have been avoided.