Water Transportation: LASWA, NIWA Issue Fresh Guidelines

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), on Tuesday advocated a minimum of 30- passenger capacity commercial boats on Lagos waterways to standardise state’s water transportation.
The NIWA Area Manager, Alhaji Mu’azu Sambo and the Managing Director of LASWA, Miss Abisola Kamson, made this known during a presentation of guidelines and standards for water transportation in Lagos.
In the operational standards for boat operators jointly signed by Sambo and Kamson, all commercial boats must be fitted with two engines and a functional speedometer.
They said that commercial boats must have minimum internal dimension of 7.3m length, 2.2m Width, 0.6m distance between seats, a minimum capacity of 30 passengers, double hull and bottom design.
According to them, commercial boats must have navigational aids, cabin lighting systems, life jackets, fire extinguishers, paddle, life buoys, shore to sea communication gadgets, key starter and alarm systems.
The regulators added that commercial boats should have four minimum emergency exits, toilet and waste treatment facilities for bigger boats.
They said that commercial boats must adhere to a speed limit of 6 knots around jetties and a maximum of 15 knots as service speed as well as provide manifest of passengers on board.
According to them, boat operators must have comprehensive insurance cover submitted to regulatory bodies annually, while boats must be subjected to a bi-annual inspection for standards.
The regulators added that boat drivers must be certified for competence and obtain a certificate.
Speaking further on the issue, Sambo said that many passengers dreaded water transportation due to fear of safety, saying that the new guidelines would attract more people to commute by means of water transportation.
“We cannot continue to fold our hands and not uplift our standards, otherwise we will remain behind. Our priority is to ensure safety on waterways,’’ the NIWA boss said.
According to him, the intention of the guidelines is not to force any operator out of business but to enhance safety and promote the sector.
The area manager noted that the nation had lost many young people on waterways through carelessness and disregards to safety rules.
He said that NIWA and LASWA would collaborate to patrol waterways to ensure that standards were complied with, stressing that the two authorities would work together to end multiple taxation.
Meanwhile, Kamson said that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, was committed to channelization of designated routes on waterways to aid commercial water transport.
According to her, such step will end all interference and risks posed by loggers, dredgers and fishermen, to commercial boat operations.
“We are trying to improve on the quality and safety of water transportation in Lagos State so as to encourage more people to use water transport.
“The government is doing a lot to improve on water infrastructure,’’ the LASWA boss said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Dayo Mobereola, said the goal of the state government was to ensure a “safe, secure, accessible and affordable transport systems.’’
Mobereola, who was represented by Mr Adebola Matanmi, Director Operations, Lagos State Ministry of Transport, said that the government was investing heavily to standardise routes on waterways.
He said that the government would soon established Rescue and Recovery Operation Agency to ensure timely response in case of emergency.