The Lagos State Government has said it introduced U-Safe, an aquatic robot designed to swiftly and precisely rescue individuals in distress during emergency situations, to enhance water rescue operations.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), which recently unveiled the U-Safe aquatic robot, said it will serve as a new tool to enhance water rescue operations on waterways in the state.
Described as an aquatic hero with a mission to save lives, U-Safe is a self-propelled and remotely controlled-robot that can quickly zoom in to rescue those in need, according to LASWA.
The introduction of U-Safe by LASWA aims to overcome the challenges faced in water rescue operations, according to the agency which reckons that the advanced technology of the aquatic robot can be deployed rapidly and navigate with ease to provide critical support when it is most needed.
By collaborating with U-Safe, the LASWA Search and Rescue Team can significantly enhance their response times and effectiveness, ultimately saving more lives, according to the waterways agency.
With 70% of the world’s surface covered in water and Nigeria boasting 420 nautical miles of coastline, as well as vast internal waterways, the need for efficient water rescue technology is paramount. In Lagos, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Lagos Lagoon, and water flows through a network of islands from Badagry to Ikorodu, the risk of drowning incidents is particularly high.
According to ResearchGate, in 2016 alone, 16,200 people drowned in Nigeria. More recently, in April 2024, the Lagos State Police Command reported seven deaths due to accidental drowning within a week, highlighting the urgent need for effective water rescue solutions like U-Safe.
LASWA was established by the Lagos State Government on 2008, with the responsibility to regulate, manage, improve and enhance the growth and development of inland waterways activities and transportation in Lagos state.
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