By Cliffsimeon Akalonu
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Wednesday said that its Enforcement Team on COVID-19 Waterways Operational Guidelines had begun routine patrols and given warnings to erring boat operators.
Close to 3,000 people were presently infected in Nigeria by the virus, with no fewer than 98 deaths.
Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and Leader of the Enforcement Team, highlighted this in Lagos, adding that the team would not hesitate to sanction any erring operators.
Emmanuel stated that all stakeholders on the state waterways have been duly informed of the new guidelines, hence the patrol was actually, to ensure strict adherence to water transport guidelines, following gradual ease of the COVID-19-induced lockdown of Lagos State.
“The enforcement team on Tuesday commenced state-wide inspection of commercial ferry operations with an unscheduled visit to some jetties in Apapa to monitor compliance by commercial ferry operators and other waterway users.
“The enforcement team observed substantial compliance with the government directives.
“Notwithstanding, there were few operators who violated the 60% carrying capacity, and they were warned. If repeated, they will be sanctioned accordingly,” he said.
Emmanuel added that, ferry passengers were advised to always wear face masks and ensure physical distancing among themselves in order to avoid possible contact with an infected person.
According to him, the jetties where ferry operations were monitored by the team include Temidire-Ajegunle and Liverpool jetty in Apapa.
The LASWA boss said that, waterways patrol and the enforcement would continue.
“The authority will continue to monitor all activities on the inland waterways; more important is adherence to water transport guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus,” he said.
He called on all stakeholders to support government’s efforts to reduce novel coronavirus spread in Lagos and entire Nigeria.
In another development, the LASWA has also clamped down on illegal barge operators along the Mile 2 area of the state waterways.
The LASWA Boss, Mr. Emmanuel who confirmed this on Wednesday in a statement in Lagos said the agency discovered the illegal operations, during a routine patrol.
He equally said the authority had issued a-seven day ultimatum to the culprits to appear before LASWA.
“LASWA has issued seven days notice to all barge operators in and around the Mile 2 Ferry Terminal to desist from the illegal obstruction of ferry route and to report themselves to LASWA office to resolve the matter,” he said.
According to him, the operators are carrying out unauthorised trucking and container movement, thereby causing total blockage of the inland waterways in the Mile-2 area.
The General Manager said that the barge operators in and around Mile-2 Ferry Terminal did not seek approval from the appropriate agency of government before embarking on their activities on the inland waterways.
He said that their operations were causing obstruction to the movement of ferries from Mile- 2 axis into Festac Town and beyond.
“The safety of all waterways users is very paramount to the state government.
“The ongoing illegal barge operations on both sides of Mile 2 water channels are not only affecting the physical structure of the Mile 2 Bridge and its basement, but also pose a serious threat to the safety of lives on the inland waterways.
“This is so, because their trucking activities has narrowed the water channel making it almost impossible for the passage of ferries,” Emmanuel said.
The LASWA chief explained that the state government had a perfect transportation plan for the area with the construction of BRT and Rail Stations in Mile-2 to complement the existing ferry terminal.
He said that the plan would ensure a multi-modal transport system in the area.
“The state cannot afford to lose such opportunity of having the road networks, Railway and the Waterways linked together at such a congested area as Mile-2,” he added.