Nigeria, February 29, 2016 – The Lagos State Government today said it has only approved life jackets that come with red, orange and lemon colour for use on ferries plying Lagos waters, warning residents to always reject counterfeit life jackets, which are different from what has been approved.
Speaking in Lagos, Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority(LASWA), Engineer Abisola Kamson, lamented that most operators are in the habit of using substandard life vest on the waterways.
According to her, it is unfortunate that most local fashion designers now sow all manners of fabrics as life jackets, which she said is dangerous because they don’t meet the required standard.
Kamson, who said that LASWA has confiscated no fewer than 700 fake life jackets in the last four months, appealed to commuters to insist on standard when travelling by waterways.
“For visibly sake in case of any emergency, bright red, orange and lemon colour of life jacket have been approved for environment. Black or other colour are not acceptable.
“We have decided to be giving the jackets to the commercial boat operators free of charge because we don’t want excuse for using substandard jacket. Boat operators must also understand that it is their duty to always use standard jacket. Wearing of life jacket on water is as good as seat belt to a moving car.
Kamson added that the agency would continue to sensitise the residents particularly those plying the waterways on the safety standard, adding that they must insist on what is safe for them whenever they are embarking on a journey through water.
“They have the right to insist on quality and standard jacket every time. They must say no to counterfeit jackets whenever the operators present them to them, “Kamson added.
The LASWA boss, who insisted that water transportation remain the best and safest in the state, added that residents must also join hand to ensure that standard is maintained always.
