The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has launched a Search and Rescue center to prioritize the safety of Lagos waterway users.
This is coming shortly after activating aids to navigation in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement on Saturday by Ms. Sarat Braimah, Area Manager, NIWA, Lagos.
Braimah said 17 marine department officers at the NIWA Lakes Area Office were trained and stationed at the facility, to ensure it was adequately equipped to respond to emergencies.
She said officials have been trained on how to activate, identify and direct the safety ecology toward vessels in distress on the water.
She added that members of the Lagos Search and Rescue team have also received basic training in radio communication skills, to establish strategic networks with vessels and other national emergency agencies.
Braimah said the skills would allow them to do this as a Specified Organisation whenever a save our soul (SOS) operational situation arises on the water.
She thanked the NIWA Managing Director Dr. George Moghalu, for approving and establishing the Search and Rescue Center just weeks after unveiling the navigation buoys for safe water transportation in Lagos.
She also thanked the General Manager, Marina, NIWA Headquarters, Mr. Joseph Ororo, for his encouragement.
She tasked the team to live up to expectation as security issues demand deep interpretation, implementation and joint execution.
