For fear of contracting the
dreaded Ebola virus while boarding a ferry boat, passengers in some parts of Lagos State have shunned the use of general life vests, despite their safety potential in the event of a boat mishap.
This has led to low patronage of passengers using water transportation in the last few weeks in Lagos State.
A source revealed to The Tide that some passengers had acquired their own personal life jackets, instead of the general one being provided by operators of ferry boats.
The Tide source further revealed that some passengers who had no alternative were blaming the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for not sensitising the passengers and operators on the danger and spread of the virus on using common vest and provision of necessary guidelines and materials for them.
It was gathered that some of the passengers have called on the agency responsible for inland water-ways to act fast in enlightening its operators and passengers about the killer disease and that the jackets are secondary sources through which one can contract the Ebola virus.
Meanwhile, the Area manager of NIWA, Lagos State, Mu’Azu Sambo had promised massive sensitisation of boat operators and passengers on the usage of life jackets, adding that they will be sensitised that after every use, there is need to spray aerosol sanitiser on the jacket.
Sambo said government and individuals have a key role to play in preventing and contracting the disease, and called on passengers to afford their own personal life jackets for their safety while on board.