Lagos drones waterways
Lagos State the centre for excellence has recently revealed that it has reportedly obtained over 5,000 drones to monitor the waterways as well as search and rescue operations in a bid to protect the lives and property of its passengers.
At the inauguration of Marine Rescue Units in four Jetties which are situated in Lekki, Ijegun-Egba, Ikorodu and Ilaje-Bariga of the state by Oke-Osanyintolu.
The director-general of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA)Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu in his report said the drones are already being connected to the state Command Control Centre with Close Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) and mobile CCTV equipment to increase security.
With a daily movement of about 70,000 passengers on waterways and a monthly movement of about 1.5 million according to the director-general, travelling by water seems to be one of the fastest and easiest ways to get to one’s destination in the time since the land is congested and always bound heavy traffic inland.
He further added that heavy and light equipment such as jet skis, ambulance boats and rescue boats have been purchased and distributed to the LASEMA units to increase effectiveness.
When eventually deployed, the drones could help curb boat accidents and increase the safety of Lagos waterways. This can, in turn, draw in more Lagosian to use its services and by effect reduce the strain on the roadways.
This development will also serve as a corrective measure to the many mishaps including numerous shipwreck among other life-endangering casualties that have been taking place over the years along the city seaways.
