. MD LASWA, OLUWADAMILOLA EMMANUEL
Determined to bring an end to the constant boat mishaps on Lagos waterways, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said it has commenced the implementation of new safety strategies aimed at safeguarding the lives of ferry passengers and other waterways users in the state.
This was conveyed in a statement on Friday by the Corporate Communication Officer of LASWA, Mrs. Nkechi Ajayi which was obtained by Shipping Position Daily.
This is coming few days after the Lagos State chapter of the People's Democratic Party(PDP) had asked for the sack of the management of LASWA over what it described as incompetency.
According to the statement from Ajayi, a series of standard safety measures and procedures have now been put in place to forestall the reoccurrence of boat mishapsin Lagos.
Ajayi also blamed illegal barge operation as the major cause of most of the mishaps on the state waterways.
"Most of these mishaps were caused due to a number of factors which include; illegal barge operations along the ferry channels, abandonment of wrecks and sand dredgers on the inland waterways, over speeding and reckless driving on the part of boat captains among other several factors"
Explaining further, Ajayi said that the new strategies devised by LASWA include: decentralization of patrol boats in different parts of the state.
"The new strategies currently being employed by the regulatory authority include: decentralization of the enforcement team with different patrol boats stationed in each senatorial district of Lagos, so as to have a wider coverage on the entire waterways"
According to her, "apart from the bi-annual boat inspection exercise, the agency carries out random spot checks on boats on a daily basis, while water guards are also positioned at the state own jetties to ensure compliance with safety measures"
She nevertheless said that the agency has distributed thousands of life jackets to commercial ferry operators, pupils in riverine communities as well as other waterways users especially in the coastal areas of Lagos State.
"Earlier this year, the authority also installed safety and directional signages in all the state-owned jetties, navigational marker buoys were also installed along the Five Cowries creek to aid smooth navigation, Regular clearing and recycling of water hyacinths across the inland waterways was also part of recent activities taken by the authority in order to ensure smooth flow of the commercial routes on the waterways"
"The authority in partnership with Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance (FIBRA) have also come together to ensure regular clean-up of plastic waste and debris polluting the waterways"
"With the recent worrisome incidences on the waterways, the authority has also recognized the need for more awareness, enlightenment and sensitization on emergency protocols and safety precautions for Ferry passengers"
Ajayi however said that the authority is deploying safety volunteers to jetties.
"The authority is currently deploying safety volunteers to jetties and landings that were hitherto not under LASWA oversight"
Speaking further, she said that there are plans for the procurement of additional 5000 life jackets.
"Additional 5000 life jackets are currently being procured and would be donated to commercial ferry operators as well as ferry passengers before the year runs out", she assured.
Ajayi however announced that the authority in partnership with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will soon commence training and certification of boat captains.
"The authority is in the process of establishing a waterways monitoring and control centre with an advanced GIS system while more patrol boat shall be procured for effective monitoring. Nevertheless, the authority in partnership with NIMASA would soon commence a training and certification exercise for boat captains and deckhands. while a boat gantry with a modern ferry inspection facility would be established through a public-private partnership"
"It is expected that with the ongoing reforms being implemented by the authority, the Lagos waterways will continue to witness gradual improvement in safety, operations and general well-being of waterways users", she said.
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