By Seyi Babalola
Determined to ensure it put an end to mishaps on its waterways, Lagos State Government has vowed to come down harder on waterways operators in its bit to strictly enforce safety standards, even as it threatens to go after substandard boat operators.
The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel disclosed this while fielding questions on the Morning Show on Arise television.
The General Manager who condoled with the families of victims who lost their lives in Friday boat mishap, noted that his agency has done so much to reduce the issue of boat mishaps to the barest minimum.
Part of the safety measures Emmanuel explained, is the LASWA’s Search and Rescue Unit which was established to fully deal with incident operations in the different locations of the State waterways to improve response time during emergencies.
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.
He said, “One of the boat drivers whose actions led to a boat mishap some years back was recently 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 on the waterways.
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 boats journey.
He admonished passengers on the waterways to be safety conscious always. “Life jackets 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 is torn, above all, avoid night travels. Safety consciousness is a collective responsibility, if you see something unusual on the waterways, say it” the General Manager said.