Ogun delays distribution of lifejackets donated by Fed. Govt. to water transporters, keeps mum

Passengers in lifejackets onboard a boat 

That is the question bothering the minds of water transportation stakeholders now as Boat operators and other waterways users in Ogun State are on tenterhooks eagerly awaiting Ogun State  Government to name a date for the distribution of the lifejackets. 

It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by its Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola recently distributed 42,000 life jackets to waterway users across 12 riverine states in Nigeria through their respective state governments. 

This distribution was part of a larger initiative to improve safety on inland waterways and reduce boat accidents. 

Each of the 12 selected states, Ogun inclusive received 3,500 life jackets in the first phase of the distribution to address the rising number of boat mishaps and ensure the safety of those who ply the nation’s inland waterways.

Information at our disposal confirmed that the state’s allocation were brought recently for distribution but it was at the time the National Sports Festival was on-going and the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun was busy, being tied-up by the sports fiesta as the host governor.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy who brought the state’s allocation were however assured that the governor would accord priority to the distribution of the lifejackets immediately after the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway Games 2024 ends.

It is also noteworthy to mention that other states have distributed theirs without much ado or foot dragging. 

But to the consternation of water transporters and other stake-holders, Ogun Government seems to have forgotten all about these lifejackets which was sent to water transporters as an urgent measure to address the increasing rate of boat mishaps on the waterways.

While the state delays the giving out of these much needed lifejackets to its end-users, accidents on waters in the state continue to constitute a big threat.

For instance, another boat accident recently occured at Ere Jetty, Ado Odo, Ogun State last Saturday in which four people lost their lives. 

It would be pertinent to recall that the National President of the Association of Tourist Boats and Water Transporters Of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Dr Gani Tarzan Shekoni Balogun and his team recently visited the state to enquire about the distribution of the lifejackets but he was assured at the Ministry of Transportation that the state will soon call his association when it is ready for the distribution. 

All efforts to know what is causing the delay from Ogun State Government’s end proved abortive as nobody wants to talk. 

A watercraft operator who recently had an interview with us opined the fear that the lifejackets may end up in the wrong hands in Ogun State. He noted that it may later be given to politicians who will now resell them to those they were originally meant for. 

However, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy ensaddled with the responsibility of ensuring that states distribute the lifejackets accordingly has dismissed this insinuation.

The Area Manager of NIWA for Abeokuta Area Office, Engr. Ipinmoroti Adeleye Segun told THE STATEPOST that his agency is also waiting on the sideline for Ogun State Government to announce it’s readiness. 

 He assured that NIWA is ready to monitor how the state handle the distribution so that they will not end up in the wrong hands.

In a chat in his office, Ipinmoroti said the project cost the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy a lot of money as a jacket sells for between N25,000 to N40,000 in the market, depending on the quality. 

He noted that since his agency deals with waterways and those who earn their livelihoods on water, we know them first hand and hence we know those who should be given this lifejackets.