The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) water guards’ permanent absorption who were hitherto on temporary employment into the Lagos State Civil Service.
The Governor also approved the employment of additional officers into the LASWA water guard corps to ensure effective monitoring of the state inland waterways and guarantee waterways users’ safety.
Water Guards Corps is the Law Enforcement Unit of the Lagos State Waterways Authority.
The water guards officers play a vital role in ensuring that Water Transport rules and regulations in Lagos are adhered to at all times.
The water guards supported by the Counter Terrorist Unit CTU of the Nigerian Police collectively patrols the entire waterways network daily, thereby ensuring safety and security of lives and properties on the waterways.
The newly absorbed officers have undertaken training in emergency response, first aid, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR Administrations.
LASWA on Tuesday also distributed 250 life jackets to ferry passengers at the Ipakodo ferry terminal in Ikorodu area of Lagos state.
According to a release made available to our correspondent by Nkechi Ajayi, spokesperson of LASWA, the exercise is in continuation of the ember months Safety Awareness and Sensitisation program.
The exercise, which began a few months ago, has taken place at various jetties and terminals across all zones on the state inland waterways.
Safety information booklets and flyers containing emergency numbers with passenger’s safety guidelines translated into local language were also given to ferry commuters to boost their confidence while using the waterways.
By Roland Ekama
