The Coastal Safety and Awareness Initiative group has embarked on massive campaign and sensitisation strategy to reduce accident on Lagos waterways.
The Coastguard group in a chat with DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA recently said the initiative has taken the campaign to riverine communities of the state on the need to embrace safety precautionary measures while on coastal voyages.
Speaking on the innovation, Commandant of the Coastal Safety and Awareness Initiative , Ndubuisi Chukwuemeka stressed the need for people living in riverine communities to be conscious about safety as it affects sea voyage.
Chukwuemeka called on the Lagos State government to support the group in a bid to spread the campaign to other parts of the coastal state as a veritable tool to reduce boat mishaps on the waterways.
While harping the need to enlighten boat operators, traditional rulers and passengers within these communities, the Commandant reiterated that a lot has to be done in the awareness initiative in curbing the menace of coastal disasters.
He reiterated that “We have already started the campaign as we speak but we are willing to do more to spread the message.
“The aim of this campaign is to reduce accident on our waterways and the programme is centred round coastal safety and reduction of accident in Lagos water domain.
“The essence is to enlighten people on how to use life jacket, lifebouy and reduction of alcoholic usage by the boat operators.
According to him, the group recently embarked on research methodology from stakeholders and people living in the coastal communities to know their state of mind psychologically and trauma on reported cases of boat mishaps.
He also noted that the group has engaged both federal and state government waterways regulatory agencies on the need for strategic collaboration adding that the issues of boat mishaps need national and international involvement.
Chukwuemeka disclosed that the group is seeking support from private sector players to help sustain the campaign to other parts of the Lagos state and some coastal regions of the country.
Harping on the objectives of the group, he said one of the aims of the campaign is to provide search and rescue operations along the coastline, pointng out that it is centred on promoting and preserving healthy and sustainable environment.
The commandant however stressed that welfare of members was paramount , calling on well wishers to support the ideas and innovation of the group in the sustainability of the project.
By Roland Ekama
