Oyetola: We’ve procured three water ambulances for search and rescue operations

Gboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, says the ministry has deployed three water ambulances for search and rescue operations on the inland waterways across Nigeria.

Oyetola spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a sectoral briefing to mark President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.

He said the three water ambulances would be deployed to areas where accidents are prevalent.

“This will reduce fatalities whenever accidents occur on our inland waters,” the minister said.

Oyetola also said the ministry has procured seven armoured patrol boats for flag, port, and coastal states’ operations.

“In this first year, we have recorded zero incidence of piracy and maritime terrorism within Nigerian territorial waters due to the strengthening of the implementation of the deep blue sea project with the installation of an additional integrated maritime surveillance system and other maritime security infrastructure,” he said.

“Our achievements in ensuring security in our territorial waters surpass the achievements of other West African countries.

“We have been able to enforce maritime regulations, enhance safety, and prevent illegal activities in the inland waterways with the full deployment of the deep blue assets.”

For inland water transport, Oyetola said the ministry has acquired 13 fibre-reinforced plastic fast-moving boats that include; one 62-seater and one 32-seater passenger boat to replace wooden canoes.

This, he said, is a pilot scheme to evaluate the viability of such water buses in remote areas, adding that the ministry planned to phase out all wooden, rickety boats.

“We have stepped up our security surveillance activities to prevent attacks on the inland waters,” he said.

“This entailed the procurement and deployment of three PC W23 boats with 150 HP each for surveillance activities and five PC W23 boats with 75 HP each for enforcement activities.”

Oyetola also said the ministry would distribute 2000 units of high-capacity lifejackets to aid passengers’ safety on the inland waterways.