…Reiterates Commitment to Preventing Drowning, Urges lifeguards to have Operational Permit
The need for Lifeguards to have OPERATIONAL PERMITto enable them work effectively and the need for Swimming Facilities Operators to obtain a Professional Certified Lifeguards around their swimming facilities in Lagos State have been stressed at a Sensitisation Meeting in the State.
The Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola made the call at a Stakeholders Sensitization meeting held by the Lagos State Safety Commission in conjunction with Global Sports Exclusive Promotions for Administrators of recreational facilities across the State.
The meeting which took place at the Waves Beach, Elegushi in Lagos State, saw the organizers 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.
Mojola, in his address, emphasized the need for collective responsibility at promoting water safety and also hinted on government’s ongoing efforts to ensure safety across the State.
“Water Safety is a collective responsibility of everyone and the Lagos State Safety Commission will continue to re-strategize and engage in more advocacy programmes towards achieving a zero drowning in Lagos State
“As a Commission, we are organizing more school safety programmes, continuous collaboration with Water Safety Stakeholders, Sensitization, and Advocacy, among others”, he stressed.
In a remark, the initiator of the program, Hon. Olarenwaju Saidi, noted that the 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.
Hon. Olarenwaju, who also serves as a Governing Board Member at the Lagos State Sports Commission, emphasized the importance of having Certified Lifeguards in all Communities where jetties were operating across the State.
He announced an upcoming Practical Training for Lifeguards in July 2024 in commemoration of this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, scheduled for every July 25th as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The representative of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Ibrahim, urged stakeholders in the aquatic industry to take water safety more serious and reiterated the central focus of the Authority on people’s wellness on water.
He also emphasised the need for all management of beach houses and swimming pools to work as a team to ensure effective water safety delivery in Lagos State.
Also speaking at the meeting was a swimming coach, Abiodun Ojomo, who raised concerns about the lack of certified lifeguards that could save victims of water accidents, suggesting that the Lagos State Safety Commission, should provide more monitoring boats team on the water with Lifeguards to monitor water activities.
Similarly, Coach Kolawole Ogunsemore while explaining the causes of drowning, pointed out that lack of data on all the jetty operators and lack of proper awareness are factors contributing factors, and advocates that the State Government should ensure all lifeguards are certified and organize continuous training and retraining, and recruit professional swimmers to become certified lifeguards as ways of preventing drowning and saving victims.
Also speaking, Coach Steve explained that drowning is not limited to beaches, pools, and rivers, stating that it also occurs in bathtubs, calling for more awareness and sensitization on drowning, among others as preventive measures.
Administrators of various Beach Houses and Swimming Pools Facilities, as well as representatives from Private Swimming Coaches Association Lagos (PSCAL), Ocean 28 Swimming Academy, Dolphin Swimming School, Titan Seal Community, Lagos State Waterways Authority, and many more, attended the Stakeholders sensitization as they seized the opportunity to ask questions and expressed their views on pressing issues accordingly.
