CITIZENS COMPASS –The Lagos State Safety Commission in conjunction with Global Sports Exclusive Promotions have played host to some administrators of recreational facilities across Lagos State in a meeting held at Waves Beach, Elegushi, Lagos.
The Stakeholders Sensitization meeting which was held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, gave the organisers the opportunity to discuss important issues surrounding water safety with all the beach houses and swimming pool facilities operators, their duties and responsibilities, as well as measures to prevent drowning to the barest minimum, among other life saving techniques.
The Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, emphasised on the collective responsibilities of promoting water safety and the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure safety across the state.
In his words, “Water Safety is a collective responsibility of everyone and the Lagos State Safety Commission will continue to strategise and engage in more advocacy programmes towards achieving zero drowning in Lagos State”.
The Director General highlighted that the Commission is organising more school safety programmes and continuous collaboration with water safety stakeholders, sensitization, and advocacy.
He also stressed the importance of operational permits for lifeguards and it will help lifeguards to work effectively in Lagos State.
He concluded his speech by informing swimming facilities operators on the need to have professional certified lifeguards around their swimming facilities.
In the same vein, the initiator of this concept who also serves as a Governing Board Member at the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Olarenwaju Saidi, in his opening remarks, noted that the essence of meeting with stakeholders in the aquatic industry is to address the occurrence of drowning incidents which must be adequately monitored and prevented in Lagos State.
He emphasised the importance of certified lifeguards in all communities where jetties are operating across Lagos State.
The Board member announced upcoming practical trainings for lifeguards in the month of June in commemoration of this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), every July 25th.
Also speaking, a swimming coach, Abiodun Ojomo, who raised concerns about the lack of certified lifeguards suggested that Lagos State Safety Commission should provide more monitoring boat teams on waterways with lifeguards to monitor water activities.
While explaining the causes of drowning, Coach Kolawole Ogunsemore advocated for professional swimmers on waterways.
Present at the occasion were representatives from Lagos State Waterways Agency (LASWA) and among other stakeholders.
