Less than six months after water users and providers of water transportation in Lagos state were subjected to untold hardships following the curfew which was imposed on the state’s waterways, residents of riverside areas in Lagos, as well as operators and users of water transportation mode are again being forced to cope with another round of dusk to dawn curfew.
The latest curfew became noticeable mid- last week as anxious residents of riverside villages such as: Igboalejo, Lado, Ogogoro and about 17 other villages which dot the shores around the popular Takwa bay around Tin Can Island and the creeks along Lekki and Epe rush to beat the curfew which is between 6pm and 6 am.
The curfew is being enforced by the Nigerian Navy and at least 20 boats were said to have so far been arrested by personnel of the Navy. The boats have however been released by authourities of the Western Naval command which is enforcing the curfew.
Sources confirmed that the latest development is aimed at giving vent to government’s decision concerning water transportation and following reports of upsurge of criminal activities on Lagos waters.
Naval sources confirmed to Shipping Position Weekly that the curfew was aimed at checkmating the rising security problems and that the directive was aimed at providing a conducive environment for every one to operate.
Our correspondent confirmed that so far, the curfew has hampered commercial and social activities in an around these communities, while activities at the popular Liverpool jetty have dropped drastically.
While naval sources claimed that the curfew was only meant to checkmate boat operators, the operators expressed shock at the frequent raid even as they lament loss of patronage.
Some of the boat operators accused the Navy of incessant harassment by naval personnel; “it is the new man that wants to stamp his authourities on us by arresting us everyday”, one of them told our correspondent at the Liverpool jetty.
Corroborating the development, the secretary of Liverpool unit of the Seamen and Water Transport branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr Owolabi Omotayo confirmed that some boats have been arrested for allegedly breaking the curfew.
He however appealed to the Navy to relax the curfew in the interest of residents of riverside villages who have no other means of transportation except by boats and canoes.
Shipping Position Weekly also spoke with some members of the shipping as well as oil and gas community who expressed shock at the development because according to them, the boats not only serve villagers, they are also patronised by others including fun seekers and those who use them to commute between the jetties and high seas for official businesses.
Discussion about this post