Association Calls For Caution Signs On Waterways To Prevent Mishaps

The Association of Tourism Boat and Water Transporter Operators (ATBOWATN), has called on the Lagos State Government (LASG) to mount caution signs on the waterways to prevent continuous mishap.
The president of the association, Mr Ganiyu Balogun, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.
He said that there were no caution signs on the waterways around the city adding that the once available had wearied out.
He attributed the boat mishaps recorded around the city to lack of caution signage on the waterways.
“Caution sign on the waterways goes a long way to prevent accidents, lost of lives and properties on waterways.
“Majority of accidents that have been happening around the city is as a result of refuse dumps, wrecks, water hyacinth and lack of signage,’’ he said.
Balogun said that the boat mishaps that happened in Ikorodu, Festac and Epe in the recent past were allegedly caused by some of the factors stated above .
He said some of the caution signs needed include those that would indicate : diversion, danger, stop and others.
The president appealed to the government to regulate and control the activities of loggers, fishermen and others on the waterways.
“Some of the people cutting woods and fishermen on the waterways pollute the island too.
“There unregulated activities had contributed to mishaps in the past on waterways,’’ he said.
Balogun also spoke against the backdrop of the recently launched water hyacinth removal machine bought by the state, on Oct. 13.
He described the action as a “right step in the right directions.’’
“This will allow easy movement of boat transportation on waterways. The water hyacinth has been a challenge to boat operators,’’ he said.
He urged the government to continue to make the environment more conducive for operators.
“The water and boat operators need filling station close to the waterways, due to challenges we use to encounter while transporting passengers.
“Most of the time, our boats usually run out of petrol on waterways, which is not encouraging,’’ he said.
Balogun assured the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) of the association’s support to sanitise the operations of water transportation businesses and activities.
He therefore, urged LASWA to include operators in their developmental projects.