The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to ensure strict enforcement of the state waterways laws to reduce incessant boat mishaps in the state.

The Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Mr Temitope Adewale (Ifako-Ijaiye I), made this known during an oversight tour to LASWA and the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said: “Enforcement is key because most of the boat mishaps we have seen are caused by the local operators.
“At the end of the day, it gives a bad name to the state government but these boats are not run by the government agency.

“In terms of enforcement, LASWA needs proper rescue boats and you need to strengthen and enforce the operation of our waterways to reduce incessant mishaps on our waterways.

Adewale noted that LASWA was created to serve as a regulator and to provide the enabling infrastructure in the waterways transport sector.

The Assemblyman said the establishment of the authority was because there was need to transport people daily from point A to point B, which could not be done strictly by vehicular movement.

Adewale, therefore, said that there was need to create an enabling environment that would be lucrative and at the same time attractive and provide security for people to use the waterways.

“You are saddled with this responsibility of water transportation because the state government is looking for alternatives to road usage and, at the same time, encouraging mass transit of waterways has to improve in the state.

“There is also need to look for a means to have a Public Private Partnership (PPP), where investors will come with their own boats; but what is most important is that there should be enforcement on the waterways.

“Once you put the right infrastructure in place, we will definitely see investors coming to invest in our waterways system.

“This will even increase the life span of our roads and we will also have a reduction in accidents we see on our roads; therefore the incessant trailers (articulated vehicles) falling on our roads will reduce.

Adewale, however, said the major problem the authority was having was improper channelisation of the waterways and this should be done by the agency because it understood the routes better.

He said the exclusive right to channel the waterways routes would be added to the ongoing amendment of the Transport Law.

Adewale noted that for the safety of the state’s waterways, there was the need for LASWA to have a certification centre for boat operators and boat owners.

According to him, I want you to set up an effective and robust certification centre where boat operators, deckhands and captains are properly trained, mentored and monitored so we can have a safe ride on our waterways.

Earlier, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said the water transportation in the state presently contributes two per cent of total traffic in all motorised public transportation mode in the state.

Emmanuel, however, disclosed that road contribute over 80 per cent, hence the cause of congestion of the road network in the state.

He, therefore, called for diversification from road transportation as it would be important for the development of the state’s economy.

Emmanuel highlighted the challenges of LASWA to include the overlapping functions with the Federal Agencies and other state government agencies.

He said: “Others are the inadequate budgetary allocation, unpriotised channelising of routes, control over the waterways, abandoned wrecks on the waterways.

“Others are the lack of infrastructure, awareness and fear of using the waterways, the pollution on the waterways, the water hyacinth and debris on the waterways.”

The committee also visited the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) at Mile 2, Lagos.

Other members of the committee are Mr Ganiyu Okanlawon (Kosofe I), Mr Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island II), Mr Sylvester Ogunkelu (Epe II), and Mr Surajudeen Tijani (Ojo II).

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Friday informed an Ikeja High Court that a boat which capsized at the Kirikiri area of Lagos, which was responsible for the death of 12 persons, operated illegally.

The Head of Operation of LASWA, Mr Ibrahim Famuyiwa made the revelation during the trial of the captain of the boat, Happiness Elebiju, charged with 11 counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Famuyiwa the first prosecution witness, told the court that the capsized boat operated from an illegal jetty.

Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, the LASWA official informed the court that because the jetty were the boat operates was illegal, it lacked state presence.

Famuyiwa explained that state approved jetty have safety measures where passengers will ensure that they wear life jackets before boarding a boat to sail

He also said that the passenger capacity of every boat at the state jetty will be coordinated to avert mishaps.

He alleged that the operator and captain of the capsized boat violated the law for operating contrary to the state laws.

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Ganiyu Oyarevuegbe, Famuyiwa stated that since the boat was not registered, LASWA would not be able to ascertain the operator competence to run the boat.

He noted that some of the survivors of the boat mishap were rescued by the first responders.

In his testimony, the Water Guard Supervisor of LASWA, Mr Adisa Ahmed told the court that for every approved jetty in the state, there is presence of water guard personnel to ensure safety.

Narrating the role LASWA played in the mishap, Ahmed said that he received a distress call while on patrol on sea.

“When officials got to the scene, the first responders, comprising of Marine Police and Fishermen had commenced rescue operation.

“The agency thereafter interviewed first responders on the scene on the cause of the accident in order to avert reoccurrence,” Ahmed said.

NAN reports that the twelve victims were said to have drowned during the July 29 incident after the wave of a ship sailing along the Kirikiri waterfront made the boat whose engine had been switched off during an argument between Elebiju and his passengers over the fare, to capsize.

It is reported that 20 passengers boarded the boat from Kirikiri to Badagry, but while on the way, the passengers disagreed with Elebiju when he indicated that the fare was N1,500, and they insisted on paying N1,200.

The captain allegedly switched off the engine of the boat by the waterfront because of the N300 difference.

However, when the ship sailed along, the waves of the big vessel made the boat to drift towards a stationary barge, where it capsized and 12 passengers drowned.

Earlier during Friday’s proceedings the DPP informed the court of an amended charges against the defendant, praying for his plea to be taken.

Elebiju was thereafter re-arraigned on an eleven-count charge bordering on involuntary manslaughter. He plead not guilty to the charges.

Justice Josephine Oyefeso adjourned the case until Sept. 17 for continuation of trial.

The Monitoring and Enforcement Team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Tuesday arrested six vessel crew members over alleged violation of regulations on compulsory use of life jackets on waterways.

The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

“While on patrol today, we apprehended six crew members on three different vessels, which include two dredgers and a barge in Elegbeta, Iddo and CMS areas, for not complying with waterways safety regulations.

“All those arrested were caught not putting on their life jackets, thereby violating the extant laws and safety regulations of the Lagos waterways.

“LASWA, as a responsible agency, will continue to sensitise all waterways users.

” We will also arrest and penalise all operators that violate the rules, as we intensify efforts to achieve a safe, clean and prosperous waterways in Lagos State,” he said.

LASWA arrested about eight ferry operators between Aug. 3 and Aug. 8, and seized their boat engines for violating safety rules and regulations.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said it arrested eight commercial ferry operators and seized their boat engines between Monday and Friday, Aug. 7.

The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

Emmanuel said that the authority would not condone recklessness and carelessness from any operator.

He reiterated LASWA’s renewed commitment to ensuring the safety of ferry passengers in the state, warning that all ferry operators must play by the rules and regulations.

According to him, all the passenger ferries apprehended will be subjected to inspections while the operators will pay stipulated fines before the engines are released.

“It is no longer business as usual for erring ferry operators as anyone found wanting will be sanctioned appropriately.

“In the ongoing enforcement and monitoring exercise across the inland waterways by the Patrol Team of LASWA, we have seized eight boat engines belonging to commercial ferry operators.

“They were caught flouting safety regulations on the waterways by overloading, reckless driving and not wearing life jackets among other offences.

“We are going tough on the operators because this disregard to safety rules have resulted in preventable fatalities on waterways,’’ he told NAN.

Emmanuel said that the authority had been patrolling and inspecting boats around Mile 2, Kirikiri, Abule Osun jetty, Alex jetty, Liverpool and Ebute Ojo in the Ojo area.

According to him, the patrol team has also been covering five Cowries’ Creek (Mekwe Bridge) and Ebute-Ero on the Island axis to ensure operators adhere to safety rules and COVID-19 prevention protocols.

The LASWA boss said that the authority was able to rescue a passenger boat in distress enroute Ikorodu from Ebute-Ero within the period.

“The patrol team was able to help the boat and the passengers back to the jetty and into another boat while the faulty boat was taken to the LASWA office for inspection.

“The authority will not condone any action that goes against the safety of the state.

“All boat operators caught flouting the laws will be sanctioned.

“Their boat must pass the inspection test and a fine paid before their engines are released to them as a deterrent.’’.

According to him, passengers caught not wearing life jackets are also cautioned and sensitised on the importance of wearing life jackets for their safety.

There had been reports of accidents on waterways in Lagos in recent times, the latest happened on July 29, which claimed 10 lives.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Tuesday said that it had impounded engines of six passengers’ boat operators in its renewed efforts to sanitise waterways to prevent boat mishaps.

Its General Manager, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos by Mrs Nkechi Ajayi, the Public Affairs Officer of LASWA.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been reports of accidents on waterways in Lagos in recent times, the latest being July 29, which claimed more than 10 lives.

Emmanuel expressed LASWA’s commitment to continually ensure the safety of ferry passengers in the state.

According to him, the arrest of erring boat operators is part of the authority’s efforts in the ongoing enforcement and monitoring exercise across the inland waterways.

“The patrol team of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) earlier today seized a total number of six boat engines belonging to commercial ferry operators that were caught flouting safety regulations on the waterways.

“Their offences include: not wearing life jackets, overloading, reckless driving, among other offences which could have resulted in preventable fatalities when accidents occur,” the LASWA boss said.

According to him, areas covered during today’s safety compliance operations were Mile 2, Kirirkiri, Abule Osun Jetty, Alex Jetty, Liverpool, Ebute-Ojo all in the Ojo axis of Lagos.

Emmanuel reassured that the authority would no longer condone any action that would be against the safety standards of the state inland waterways.

“Any erring operator will be sanctioned appropriately,” the general manager said.

According to him, the authority will work harder on boat captains and deckhands while continuing
sensitisation, awareness and enlightenment to foster safety on waterways.

Meanwhile, watch and enjoy this educative video.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) says its past efforts have prevented several boat mishaps from happening on the state waterways.

He said that LASWA would intensify more efforts to ensure the safety of its passengers.

Its General Manager, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, gave the assurances on Monday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos against the backdrop of a recent boat mishap which claimed more than 10 lives.

Emmanuel blamed the July 29 mishap in Kirikiri on disregard by the boat operator to the rules and regulations against night travel.

He said that the authority had not failed in its mandate to regulate and enforce rules.

According to him, LASWA in collaboration with other relevant agencies recorded zero mishap on the waterways in the first six months of 2020.

Emmanuel said: “Through our reforms and operations, we have been able to prevent several mishaps on the waterways. In fact, between January and June, we recorded zero accident on the waterways.

“We will not let down our guard. In this year, we have positioned water guards at state-owned jetties for enforcement of regulations and enhancement of safety on the waterways.

“LASWA Enforcement Team has been monitoring and patrolling the waterways. LASWA has also carried out several awareness, enlightenment and sensitisation on emergency and safety both in the media and at the jetties.”

He said that the authority had also partnered the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency to enhance safety and emergency operations.

The LASWA boss said that the authority had donated thousands of life jackets to its passengers, cleared and recycled water hyacinths, and engaged in bi-annual and random spot inspection of boats to enhance safety.

“We are partnering the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance (FBRA) toward the clean-up of plastic wastes on the waterways in our efforts to guarantee safety.

“Also, we have installed navigational buoys along the Five-Cowry Creek as well as safety and directional signages this year.

“We have plans to recruit more water guards to enhance the capacity of the existing ones. We also plan to install navigational buoys to other water routes.

“Also, our plan is to deploy volunteers from the safety commission to jetties and landings without LASWA oversight,” he added.

Emmanuel said that the authority also planned to upgrade emergency and rescue systems in three divisions of the state while also establishing water monitoring and data centres.

He said that the state government would soon purchase 15 more standard patrol boats and install safety and directional signages to other locations on the waterways.

According to him, the authority will work harder on boat captains and deckhands while continuing sensitisation, awareness and enlightenment to foster safety on the waterways.

Emmanuel said that the authority would promote volunteer-emergency-response team through local boat operators to complement the efforts of the state emergency rescue system.

Meanwhile, watch and enjoy this short educative video.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sack the management of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) over recent boat mishaps which occurred on water paths in the state.

In a statement on Sunday by Taofik Gani, the PDP Spokesperson in Lagos State, the party also asked the governor to declare Lagos waterways unsafe for public transportation.

According to the PDP, more 50 people have been killed in several boat mishaps on Lagos waterways in the last 30 days.

While condoling with the victims of the boat mishaps, the PDP demanded adequate compensation from the state for their families.

“We demand the sack of the LASWA general manager, the overhaul of the agency, compensation for victims, prosecution of erring officials and operators.

“Facts now reveal that over 50 lives have actually been lost, with the last 17 victims being in the last 10 days.

“Therefore, with the increase in deaths on the Lagos waterways, a responsible government ought to have overhauled the management of the LASWA,” the PDP said.

As part of preparations towards the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), on Tuesday, said that it had commenced strategic collaborations with relevant agencies to enhance safety on the waterways.

The Federal Government had said that it would partially shut down the Third Mainland Bridge for six months, beginning from July 24, for maintenance.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Kayode Popoola, who said this in Lagos, noted that consultations were ongoing for another phase of repairs to begin on the 11.8-kilometre bridge.

Speaking on plans to make water transportation a viable alternative for the teeming commuters during the closure, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said that the authority had commenced synergy and planning.

Emmanuel said that the authority had, on Monday, held a strategic session on safety procedures with the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

“The meeting was attended by the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Mr Lanre Mojola and his Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) counterpart, Dr Oke Osanyintolu.

“Discussions at the meeting centred on safety measures for boat operators and passengers during the partial closure, effective ways to ease traffic congestion through the inland waterways and the collaborative efforts to be put in place.

‘These efforts include having safety marshals and water guards stationed at strategic jetties to implement safety protocols,” Emmanuel had said in a statement.

According to him, other issues highlighted at the meeting include strategic positioning of rescue boats as well as ambulances and other safety personnel at strategic locations.

He said that LASWA would embark on constant monitoring with its patrol boats to ensure strict enforcement of the laid down rules and regulations.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) says all boats operating on the state’s waterways are due for inspection in December.

The General Manager of the LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this in Lagos on Monday.

Emmanuel said that the authority needed to step up its safety procedure on waterways in line with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s renewed commitment toward development of water transportation.

“One of the things we do to further enhance safety on waterways is to carry out biannual inspection on boats. Before the end of the year, I mean before Christmas, boat operators are due for inspection.

“As they come, we carry out checks on them, and wherever there are safety issues, we give them a timeline to do it; if they don’t fix it, we will go after them,” the LASWA boss told NAN.

He said that the authority would inspect all boats to see whether they were worthy to use waterways or not in order to prevent avoidable water mishaps.

The general manager, who noted that the authority relied a lot on information and feedback from passengers, urged them to always report to the authority any threat to safety while on board.

He said: “We rely a lot on information. We have passengers feedback form as a feedback mechanism where passengers report to us if they notice anything on boats.

“We also encourage our passengers to speak up and let us know, and we will make sure that appropriate penalties are issued out to any erring boat operator who doesn’t comply accordingly with the safety procedure.

“Passengers have the responsibility to be the first line safety agent themselves by ensuring that they wear life jackets.”

On prevalent offences committed by boat operators, the general manager highlighted night travel, overloading, and removal life jacket in the middle of the journey, among others.

According to him, there has to be continuous enforcement and control to enhance and sustain safety on waterways.

He said that erring operators caught flouting safety rules and regulations were made to pay fines into the state treasury account as deterrent.

“We have sanctioned between 40 to 50 operators since the beginning of the year. They pay fines to the state government and make sure they sort out whatever safety rule and regulations broken.

“They must fix whatever problem is in their boat before they are allowed to operate on our waterways,” Emmanuel said.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) is partnering with the management of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) to clean up food and beverage debris on waterways.

The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, made this known in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said that FBRA had on Monday signed an agreement with the Lagos State Government.

FBRA is a combination of various food and beverage companies which comprise Coca-Cola, 7Up, Nigerian Breweries, Nestle, among others.

“The management of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) has signed an agreement with the Lagos State Government to commence the collection of pet bottles littering the inland waterways and handle them over to recycling companies.

“FBRA has purchased six boats and today, they have officially handed the boats over to the management of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

“The boats are addition to the ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Government through LAWMA team to rid the waterways of all kinds of waste.

“The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) will be supporting this initiative by providing infrastructure for the boats to berth and also muster points for waste collection, ‘’ Emmanuel said.

According to him, the authority is pleased with the waterways clean-up project.

Emmanuel said that the clean-up would ensure that waterways were free of debris for safe travels for all waterways users and for a greater Lagos.

He called on Lagos residents and boat operators to join hands with the state government in ensuring a safe, clean and prosperous inland waterways system.