LASWA Boss Moves To Stop Boat Mishap In Lagos

The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Damilola Emmanuel, has kick started moves to put and end to the incessant boat mishaps in the state.

Emmanuel, who spoke on the Morning Show on Arise television station on Saturday vowed to enforce the laws guiding boat operators.

Reacting to the recent boat mishaps in the State, he condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and pledged to eradicate such happenstances in Lagos.

He mandated the LASWA’s Search and Rescue Unit to improve on their response time during emergencies stating that it was established to deal with such cases.

Emmanuel further disclosed that with the huge potential of water transportation in Lagos State, the State Government is doing all it can to ensure that the sector is not only viable but safe and is thus ready to come down hard on any operator who endangers the lives of people while operating in the sector.

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He stated that one of the boat drivers whose negligence caused a mishap some years back has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

“We are coming harder on operators who are compromising standards. With the huge capital committed to the water transportation sector, we cannot fold our arms and allow mediocrity,” he said.

The LASWA General Manager further stated that his agency parley with the manufacturer of Yamaha, which manufactures most of the engines used in boats in Lagos State to reduce the price they are selling to the boat operators to enhance safety while running the boat journey.

He admonished passengers on the waterways to be safety conscious always saying, “The life jacket can save you. Buy your own life jacket if you must. Inspect the life jackets that you are given and make sure it does not have holes or are torn while avoiding night travels.

“Safety consciousness is a collective responsibility, if you see something unusual on the Waterways, say it.”