Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode of Lagos State has taken delivery of 2, 400 life jackets donated by three oil companies to enhance safety on waterways in the state.
The Tide source  reports that the jackets were donated by Total Nigeria Ltd., Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Emo Exploration and Production Ltd.
The jackets were presented to the governor at a ceremony at the Governor’s Office at Alausa, Ikeja.
The items include 1, 800 jackets for children and 600 for adults.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, the governor commended the companies for supporting the government.
“I commend your efforts in ensuring that we have safety on our waterways.
“The 2,400 life jackets that you are presenting to us is appreciated, we assure you that we are going to distribute them to those who need them.
“We are also going to ensure compliance because it is one thing to distribute them, it is another thing to use them effectively,” Ambode said.
The governor charged the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to ensure that necessary measures were taken to put the jackets to effective use.
Ambode also urged the oil firms to continue to partner with the state, commending them for previous supports to the security trust fund, ministry of health and other agencies.
“I am also using this opportunity to call on other corporate organisations to emulate what Total has done.
“Look at what aspect of government your organisation is interested in and support the State Government.
“This is because we recognise the fact that we alone cannot do it. It is by this kind of collaboration and partnership that we will achieve all that we hope to do,” he said.
The Deputy Managing Director of Total, Mr Charles Ngoka, said the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
“Total as a responsible company takes the issue of health and safety and environment seriously and our company has been partnering with various agencies of government.
“Issues of marine security and safety have been of concern to us as well as the issue of integrity of boats.
“It is in this light we alongside other partners are donating 2,400 life jackets to Lagos State Government.
“We trust that you will ensure strict compliance in the usage as this will go a long way to ensuring safety on waterways,” Ngoka said.
Mr Jonathan Okehs, the Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), the corporate services unit of NNPC, said that the gesture was to complement government’s efforts on safety.
Okehs, who was represented by Mrs Helen Nkwo, Public Affairs Supervisor of NAPIMS, said that safety of users of waterways was paramount to the organisation.
“The donation of 2,400 to LASWA is a demonstration of commitment to the aspirations of the Lagos State Government to develop marine transportation.
“I strongly believed that if our waterways are developed and effectively utilized, it will alleviate the suffering of commuters in the state.
“We want to enhance the safety of commuters on waterways while on board,” Okehs said.
Dennis Otsemobor of Emo Exploration and Production Ltd., said: “we are aware of the recent happenings on the waterways that is why we partner with other stakeholders to contribute our quota to ensure safety on waterways.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Managing Director of LASWA, Mr Yinka Marinho, said it had become compulsory for every boat operator to comply with safety standards on waterways.
Marinho said that the distribution of life jackets would promote safe and responsible boating, stressing that the company had not relented in educating and promoting safety through advocacy.
“To date, 3,500 life jackets have been donated by the State Government across the entire length and breadth of the state from Badagry to Ikorodu to Epe and others.
“The current drive is aimed at children as Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd is donating 2,400 life jackets with 1,800 for children ranging from ages three to 15.”
According to him, it takes 60 seconds for an adult to drown and 20 seconds for a child.
He said that the children’s jackets were designed in accordance with their weight.
Marinho said that LASWA would intensify enforcement of the use of the jackets on waterways.