The Lagos State Waterways Authority, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Ambulance Services, on Wednesday, inaugurated a floating clinical boat as an initiative to extend ambulance services to riverine areas of the state.

The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, stated that the inauguration of the boat was an initiative to further add to the integrated system of emergency and rescue.

He said, “We have been gradually building this, and we have also seen how the safety on the waterways keeps improving every year.

“What we are currently planning to do is to have our own core emergency and response boats along with the Jet Ski and the soon-to-be-launched control room.”

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mr Olusegun Ogboye, stated at the event that the boat would mainly deal with emergencies on water and also provide outreach services to riverine communities.

He said, “The Ministry of Health will also provide human resources and consumables for health care provision. The state plans to acquire additional

boats to ensure that the service runs well and meets the needs of the people of Lagos State.”