Worried by the frequent incidents of boat mishaps claiming lives of many on its waterways, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has ordered compulsory use of life jackets by passengers on its waterways.
The Governor made the pronouncement at the Flag-off of Life Jacket distribution in Ebute -Ojo Jetty located in Ojo area of the state.
He said the state government took up the responsibility of providing the Life Jackets to avert further loss of lives in case accidents on its waterway.
Governor Fashola said although it was the duty of the boat operators to provide the jackets government intervention was to encourage more investment into the sector.
According to the Governor:” I like to appeal to all passengers whether on locally made canoes, Motor boats or the more sophisticated ferries that now ply our waterways must insist that the boat operators must provide them life jackets because we are going to issue those life vests and all the operators must also insist that every passenger on their boat must wear that life vest or disembark the passenger . This is all about safety”.
The governor who also inspected on-going Lagos HOMS project in Agara , Badagry, the Agric – Yes model in the same axis among other state government projects.
He said all the projects were aimed at improving the well being of citizens of the state.