WORKS Minister Robeson Benn, assisted by Communications Officer of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Ms Akousa McPherson, presented 600 life jackets to Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of the 10 administrative regions as part of the Works Ministry’s mandate to ensure continued safety, especially for the nation’s children on the country’s waterways.The equipment was presented to Local Government and Regional Development (LGRD) Minister Mr Norman Whittaker in the Boardroom of the LGRD Ministry on Saturday, February 1, in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

Benn used the occasion to express his concern over the 37 deaths reported last year.

The life jacket distribution will continue countrywide as MARAD, an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Public Works, seeks to reduce the number of accidents on the waterways.

A series of safety campaigns will also be launched soon.