Governor Ambode's wife Mrs Bolanle Ambode visited Epe Local Government Area of Lagos state and distributed over 700 life jackets to schools within Epe.

As a result of the recent spate of boat mishaps within the metropolis,Mrs Bolanle Ambode charged boat operators in the state to observe strict safety standards in their operations, to avoid sea accidents and needless loss of lives. Mrs Ambode said this yesterday Wednesday February 17 in Aiyetoro while distributing over 700 life jackets to some schools in Epe Local Government. The gesture was part of the campaign for Water Transport Safety Awareness Programme,organized by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in partnership with Total Nigeria Limited.

According to Mrs Ambode,the safety is too important to be neglected in any human activity.She urged the operators to streamline their operations according to international best practice.

In her words:

“There had been unpleasant incidents of boat mishaps in the past, some involving school pupils, commuting across the lagoon to their various schools. Users of water transportation face the uncertainty of safe arrival everyday.

“These circumstances have informed the great initiative of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), and Total Nigeria Limited, in donating life jackets, for the use of some pupils, schooling around the riverine areas of Epe Local Government”.

Speaking further,she said government had continuously introduced measures to improve water transportation in the state, including the construction of modern jetties for riverine communities and enforcement of safety rules among boat operators.

She called for adherence to “No life jackets, no water travel” campaign.She also urged boat operators to avoid overloading, night travels and boat cruising by untrained persons. While noting that safety on water must be collectively enforced, she called on parents, teachers,school managements and regulatory authorities, to step up safety advocacy among users of water transportation in Lagos state.

Speaking at the event,the Managing Director of LASWA, Ms Abisola Kamson, said it was part of the resolve of the current administration to safe guard the water-ways, stressing that every child or adult embarking on water journey must make use of life jacket. According to her, the agency seized about 500 fake life jackets from operators in the state.

She said:

“We are beginning to see people wearing all manner of life jackets that are not up to standard. For instance, we now see jackets that are black in colour. But life jackets should be in only three colours of lemon, orange or red, to enhance feasibility.

“In the last one week, we have seized about 500 of such substandard vests. We found that there are local tailors sewing life jackets; we now work in collaboration with the police to end the practice.” Ms Kamson noted that the donation at Epe was to ensure that school children got the appropriate safety vests for day-to-day use.

Also speaking at the event, Hon Ahmed Seriki,the executive secretary of Epe Local Government,said the initiative was first of its kind in Epe community. Seriki urged residents of the area to be very careful with their lives and also advised them to always call the toll free numbers-767 and 112 in case of an emergency. Asides the presentation of life jackets to pupils of various schools, a demonstration of the administration of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to adults and children was also carriedout

Her Blonde hair though.

Gift those children life jacket and teach them how to use it, the rainy season would soon be here.

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Puahahahahaha,the topic WS tantalizing, its nt funny when u hear things gud from oda states and notin gud com's from my state.