CAPACITY BUILDING: LAGFERRY TRAINS STAFF ON PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES, SEARCH, RESCUE OPERATION ON WATERWAYS 

As part of efforts to ensure passenger safety and rescue, the Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) has trained its staff on personal survival techniques, search and rescue, as well as Citizenship and Leadership training programmes aimed at enhancing their readiness for challenges and ensuring smooth waterways transportation.

The Managing Director, LAGFERRY, Hon Abdoulbaq Balogun in his welcome address to participants at the two-day training session held recently at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Sea School Apapa, reiterated the commitment of the agency to foster a culture of safety and preparedness within the water transport sector, informing that the training is one of many initiatives aimed at improving operational safety standards and reinforcing the importance of emergency preparedness among all personnel.

“We recognise that safety is paramount in our operations, which has ensured our enviable safety record of not experiencing any major accident in the last four years since the relaunch of our operation. By equipping our staff with the skills to handle emergencies effectively, we are not only protecting our team but also ensuring the safety of our passengers. This training is an essential part of our commitment to safety and excellence in service”, he stated

The training session took participants through practical exercises and theoretical knowledge that equipped them with essential skills for navigating emergencies on the water. Key components of the training included Personal Survival Techniques: training staff on floating, swimming, and utilising life-saving equipment, Search and Rescue Operations, diving and underwater search methods and Safety Equipment Familiarization, Citizenship and Leadership training inclusive.

In addition to the practical training sessions, participants also engaged in an endurance trek from Itu-Agan village in Apapa to Tarkwa Bay in Victoria Island and in scenario-based drills that mimic real-life emergencies. This immersive approach was designed for staff to feel more confident and prepared to respond to any potential incidents on the waterways.