Lagos to clamp down on illegal boat operators

The Lagos state government says it has stepped up efforts to clamp down on illegal jetties and boat operators in the state.

It said the development is a renewed effort to curb mishaps often caused by illegal operations on the inland waterways.

Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, managing director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), told journalists on Wednesday that the government would stop at nothing to ensure that operators adhere to the safety standards.

“Being a developing sector, one of the things that LASWA has had to do is to be very strict on enforcement” Emmanuel said.

“Enforcement is going to be an ongoing thing because you would constantly have those people who are going to default.

“In terms of clamping down on jetties that are substandard is something that LASWA has been looking to go round the state to clamp down on illegal jetties.”

Emmanuel said while the government was working round the clock to improve the sector for optimal performance, LASWA is billed to ensure that safety on water transportation is not compromised.

He explained that the safety of passengers getting on a boat goes beyond wearing life jackets, adding that there were other security measures to put into consideration before embarking on any journey.

“For us in LASWA, safety is really our culture and one of the things we promote in the last few years is the wearing of life jackets. If you go across the inland waterways you will find minimal people who would not comply, most people are generally aware that they should wear their life jacket,” he said.

“The very first thing one should note is the kind of jetty they are getting on, first of all is it a substandard jetty, is it a state-approved jetty, does the jetty have any issue and then even if they are getting on a boat, which boat am I getting into? The life jacket; is it ripped, does it have any damage? Then who is the captain of the vessel?”