User of water transportation in some part of Lagos State have reluctantly shun the use of life jackets over the fear of contacting the dreaded Ebola virus which is currently ravaging some countries in the West Africa region.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that there has been a drop in the number of passengers using the water transportation in the last three weeks as result over the virus.
User of water transportation in some part of Lagos State have reluctantly shun the use of life jackets over the fear of contacting the dreaded Ebola virus which is currently ravaging some countries in the West Africa region.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that there has been a drop in the number of passengers using the water transportation in the last three weeks as result over the virus.
It was also confirmed yesterday that some passengers have acquired and opted to use their own personal life jackets, instead of the general jacket provided for passengers by operators of the ferries.
A cross section of passengers who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos yesterday also blamed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for non-sensitisation of passengers and operators on the spread of the virus and non-provision of necessary guidelines.
A businessman; Philip Ugochi told our correspondent that the maritime agency responsible for inland waters, need to act fast about enlightening its operators and passengers.
He added that passengers are frightened about the killer disease and that the jackets are secondary sources through which one can contact the virus.
On her part, Mrs Dorothy Sunkanmi a trader lamented that there is need for NIWA to task its operators to sanitise the life jackets after every trip.
She added that Nigerians are afraid of contacting the virus, she also urged NIWA to educate the public on the usage of life jackets.
But reacting to their fears, Area Manager of NIWA,Lagos branch, Mu'Azu Sambo said that there will be a massive sensitisation programme for operators as from Wednesday.
He said the agency is aware of the development and plans are ongoing to sensitize operators on the usage of jackets.
Sambo reiterated that there is the need for the operators to sanitise the jackets after every use noting that the aerosol sanitiser will go a long way in the reduction of the spread.
The area manager pointed out that, "spraying of aerosol sanitiser on the jacket on every single trip and that awareness is already on"
"Some of them are on holiday, so maybe tomorrow or Wednesday, our compliance team will go all around the jetties to sensitise them on the use of the jacket"
However ,the area manager called on passengers to acquire personal life jackets as precautionary measures against the virus adding that, "it is better for an individual to buy a N3000 lifejacket than be infected with the virus".
He said that the government and individuals have a key role to play in preventing and contacting the disease.
Discussion about this post