The Lagos Sate Waterways Authority (LASWA) in collaboration with a private company is currently laying buoys and lane markers to enhance smooth and safe navigation of its waterways.
Speaking recently, Managing Director of the company; Tri-Signum, Engr Akin Olaniyan said that 42 buoys have been laid in and around the water ways in Lagos.
Olaniyan also said that these buoys are equipped with solar lanterns to aid navigation, adding that this was being done ahead of the expectation of more ferries to be deployed for the movement of commuters across the State.
He however called on the nation maritime administration, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure that the safety standards of the boats on the waterways are up to date so as to weed rickety boats that are prune to accidents off the waterways in Lagos.
He said that the maritime administrator is supposed to dictate the safety of the crafts and ensure that these procedures and processes are followed to the letter.”
On the issue of life jacket, Olaniyan said that the way boat operators talk about wearing of these jackets on board ferries is scaring and making more people to stay away from the boats.
“The ways the issue of life jacket is handled has already put fear in the mind of most passengers the method has also defeated the idea behind the wearing of life-jacket on board vessels”
When contacted the General Manager, Lagos zone of National Inland Waterways Authourity (NIWA); Muazu Sambo confirmed the development, but assured that it will not cause any friction between it and the Lagos State Government.
Recall that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode last week inaugurated the Bariga Waterfront Jetty with seven ferries.
Ambode said the projects were efforts geared toward decongesting the roads and encouraging more people to use water transportation.
He said the ferry services would help residents of Ilaje-Bariga to get to other jetties at Ikorodu, Marina, Falomo and Badore areas of the state.
“This jetty has a 150-car parking lot to enable motorists to park their cars comfortably and get on a ferry to other parts of the state.
“Of the seven new ferries we are commissioning today, four are passenger ferries while one is a car barge which can move cars to the other jetties as may be required by people, who want to drive in the other locations.”
Ambode said that with this, the state was firmly on track with the goal of establishing an integrated transport management system which would continue to impact positively on the lives of people.
He expressed confidence that the next administration would build on the progressive strides the state had recorded in the past 20 years.
“We salute your courage for providing the facilities and we assure the government that the community will protect them,” he said.
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