The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has launched a Search and Rescue centre to prioritise safety of Lagos waterways users.
Mrs Sarat Braimah, Area Manager, NIWA, Lagos, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.
Braimah stated that 17 officials of the marine department in the NIWA Lagos Area Office were trained and stationed at the facility, to ensure it was adequately manned to respond to emergencies.
According to her, the officials were trained on how to activate, identify and direct safety ecology towards distressed crafts on water.
She noted that members of the Lagos Search and Rescue team were also drilled on basic training on Radio Communication skills, to strategically network with crafts and other national emergency agencies.
Braimah revealed that the skills would enable them to do this as specified by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) whenever a save our soul (SOS) operational situation arises on water.
She expressed appreciation to the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu, for approving and setting up the Search and Rescue Centre, few weeks after unveiling navigational buoys for safe water transportation in Lagos.
Braimah also thanked the General Manager, Marine, NIWA Headquarters, Mr Joseph Ororo, for his encouragement.
The area manager reiterated that by the safety measures, Moghalu had challenged the Lagos Area Office of NIWA to brace up for effective discharge of its mandate.
Braimah informed Team Lagos Rescue Centre that to whom much is given, much is expected adding that all hands must be on deck, as safety issues require deep interpretation, implemention and joint execution.