LASWA, NIWA on safety push for festive season on Lagos waterways

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

With holidays coming, especially end of the year and festive period building, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have pushed for safer Lagos water travel, urging operators and passengers to play their part.

LASWA/NIWA have however stressed the need for strict compliance, calling on boat operators and passengers to team up and prevent unnecessary accidents on Lagos waterways.

Under the new rules, commercial and private boat operators are expected to do the needful as: Provide and enforce certified life jackets, keep accurate passenger lists before trips, no commercial trips after 7pm, routine checks on vessels and engines before departure, stick to passenger and weight limits, only certified captains at the helm and monitor weather updates and halt trips when told of any whether or intending danger.

LASWA and NIWA’s Joint Search and Rescue Teams and Water Guards will boost patrols on busy waterways and terminals throughout the festive season to step up surveillance.

Passengers are urged to support safety efforts by wearing life jackets properly, boarding at authorized jetties only, avoiding pressure on captains to speed, and reporting unsafe practices to LASWA/NIWA officials immediately.

The agencies reaffirm their commitment to working with stakeholders for a safe, reliable, and accident-free water transport experience in Lagos.