The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have launched a joint Ember Months Safety Campaign to safeguard travelers as passenger traffic rises across Lagos waterways during the December festive season.
In a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of both agencies, the authorities said the initiative aims to curb avoidable accidents by enforcing stricter compliance among boat operators and promoting safer practices among passengers.
According to the directive, all commercial and private boat operators are now required to provide and enforce the use of certified life jackets, maintain accurate passenger manifests, conduct routine vessel and engine checks, and strictly adhere to weight limits. The agencies also emphasized that no commercial trip should take place after 7:00 p.m., adding that only certified captains are permitted to operate passenger vessels.
Operators have also been instructed to monitor weather advisories closely and suspend trips whenever safety alerts are issued.
As part of heightened surveillance, LASWA and NIWA said their Joint Search and Rescue Teams and Water Guards will intensify patrols along major routes and terminals throughout the festive period to ensure full compliance.
Meanwhile, passengers were urged to complement the agencies’ efforts by wearing life jackets properly, boarding only at authorized jetties, refraining from pressuring captains to speed, and promptly reporting unsafe practices to LASWA/NIWA officials.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure a safe, reliable, and accident-free water transport system during and beyond the festive season.
