By Our Correspondent
The joint Search and Rescue Simulation by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) will reduce rescue time and boost passenger confidence in water transportation.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, made this declaration during the joint exercise held, on Thursday, in Lagos.
Osiyemi said because emergencies and disasters know no boundaries, a unified and well-coordinated response was paramount.
According to him, as global challenges demand global solutions, joint efforts in search and rescue operations cannot be overstated.
“Our interconnectedness and shared vulnerabilities underscore the need for seamless cooperation among our organisations and communities.
“Today’s joint simulation marks a crucial step in fostering unity and interoperability required to tackle unpredictable challenges on our inland waterways.
“This exercise is a testament to our commitment to preparedness, response and recovery.
“By bringing together diverse expertise, resources and perspectives, we strengthen our capabilities and create a formidable force capable of tackling the most complex and demanding scenarios we will face,” Osiyemi said.
Collaboration, he added, is not just an option but a necessity in search and rescue. “The joint exercise allowed us to simulate scenarios that mirror reality.”
The commissioner said emergencies required rescuers to navigate language barriers, cultural differences and logistical challenges.
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Osiyemi said the state government had identified areas for improvement and built a foundation of trust and understanding that transcended the diversity and functions.
He commended stakeholders who made the exercise become a reality.
TheNewsZenith reports that the stakeholders include the Nigerian Navy (Western Naval Command), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Marine Police.
Others are Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Ambulance Services and transport stakeholders.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Mustapha Hassan, said the advent of the Blue Economy and push for development came up with the idea of taking Lagos residents off the road and being more water-friendly.
Hassan said the exercise was the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, LASWA and other stakeholders. He is also the Commander of the Joint Taskforce.
He said the exercise “is to ensure the safety of water transportation”.
“The rescue exercise of today went successfully and we are happy about it. “I was speaking with the transport commissioner and he has assured the Lagos State support.
“We plan to have deployment at critical spots in the inland waters of Lagos. This This will reduce the traffic time to accident spots,” Hassan said.
Also speaking, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, said the agency initiated the joint exercise.
Jamoh, represented by Director Deep Blue of NIMASA, Mr Otonye Obom, noted that securing safety on waterways would make Blue Economy thrive.
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