Distributing 42,000 lifejackets for inland water safety

Promoting safety on board

NIGERIA: After announcing the intention to distribute 42,000 lifejackets to waterway users across the country, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola handed over the first batch of 3,500 on Friday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Being undertaken as part of a nationwide initiative, the objective is to tackle recurring boat mishaps and ensure the safety of coastal and riverine communities.

According to the Minister, the initiative is one of the most comprehensive federal responses implemented through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians plying the waterways.

“This event transcends mere ceremony; it embodies our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians who rely daily on our inland waterways,” he said.

The Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji FCIB said, NIWA under the strategic guidance of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said that the initiative would ensure safety, security and awareness across Nigeria’s Inland Waterways.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple,” Oyetola declared. “With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users — fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators — with the basic tools to survive and be safe.”

The distribution in Bayelsa State follows a similar flag-off in Minna, Niger State on April 29, 2025, where Oyetola initiated the rollout of life jackets across 12 coastal and riverine states as part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention. The initiative is one of the most comprehensive federal responses in recent times to the growing safety concerns on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Highlighting Bayelsa’s vast network of rivers, creeks, and its strategic maritime position, the Minister said the state was a natural priority in the campaign. He also used the occasion to commend Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Calling for collective responsibility, Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety cannot be compromised.

“They are not for decoration — they are for your protection,” he said. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps,” Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri said.

The life jacket initiative is part of a broader vision by the Federal Government to grow the marine and blue economy, improve connectivity in underserved regions, and ensure that economic progress does not come at the expense of human lives.

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