As a salon manager in Lekki and an Ikorodu resident, the incessant Lagos traffic led me to explore an alternative means of transportation, which is water, as my saving grace.
Boat commuting comes with its perks – a swifter journey to my destination. Yet, safety remains a constant concern amidst the unpredictable weather and looming risks of collisions, especially during late-night travels when visibility is down.
Read also: Breaking News: NIWA loses control of waterways regulation as another boat capsizes
We can say government bodies are taking steps to ensure passenger safety. But while Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has shown willpower to safeguard lives and properties on waterways, the same cannot be said for National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the federal government agency in charge of Inland Waterways regulation.
Recent boat mishaps in Lagos are traced to NIWA-owned jetties, highlighting their lax approach to safety protocols.
In February 2024, in two separate incidents of water accidents along the Ikorodu ferry route, NIWA allowed boats to operate late into the night without mandatory manifests, potentially leading to overloaded vessels and tragic consequences for passengers.
In fact, it was also revealed by eyewitnesses and several reports online that during these tragic incidents where many lives were lost, NIWA was absent. Only LASWA officials and other Lagos State agencies were seen taking charge of rescue operations.
This has unfortunately become a pattern – NIWA only shows up once the situation is under control, neglecting their primary responsibilities to ensure safety proactively and being the first respondent.
However, we shouldn’t leave safe travel only in the hands of the regulatory bodies.
Passengers must also play their part by wearing life jackets properly and adhering to safety guidelines. Life jackets are indispensable tools, equipped with features like HL-VIZ strips and whistles for emergencies.
LASWA’s unwavering dedication to safety is commendable, evident in their monitoring center, use of manifest at jetties, and water guards’ presence to monitor safety compliance.
I was also informed that LASWA has distributed over 15,000 free life jackets to ferry passengers in Lagos, the agency has a functioning Search and Rescue Unit, and Patrol Boats for daily monitoring of the waterways – elements absent in NIWA’s operations.
With over 40 jetties across the state, LASWA surpasses NIWA, which has only 4 substandard jetties in the whole of Lagos state located in CMS, Temidire, Ajegunle, and Addax, which was the jetty from where the two recent ill-fated boats took off from without proper checks and leading to the deaths of many innocent souls.
While NIWA officials at the Lagos area office seem to prioritize the financial exploitation of ferry operators and dredgers while neglecting their responsibility to effectively regulate and generate funds to the federal government, LASWA seems to be more focused on safety.
Acknowledging LASWA’s unwavering dedication to waterway safety is paramount. The agency’s personnel’s resilience in the face of legal challenges deserves recognition and support. As the Yoruba proverb goes, “Ku ishe lomu oriyiya wa” – appreciation spurs further efforts.
Safety on Lagos waterways cannot be compromised and LASWA’s proactive measures stand in stark contrast to NIWA’s neglectful approach.
It’s time to prioritize passenger safety over revenue collection and empower State Authorities like LASWA to lead waterway safety initiatives effectively.
Scraping NIWA is not just a call for accountability, but a necessity to safeguard the lives of Nigerians on Lagos waters.
Moyosore Ojelabi wrote from Lagos
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
