The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Damilola Emmanuel, has assured residents that the days of incessant boat mishaps in the state are over.
Emmanuel, who spoke on the Morning Show on Arise TV on Saturday, vowed to enforce the laws guiding boat operators.
The GM spoke tough following the boat mishap that left two dead and 12 people missing on the Mile 2/Ojo waters of the state. This incident is coming barely two days after a boat wreck in Okorodu with two deaths.
While Emmanuel commiserated with the families of casualties, he pledged to eradicate such wrecks in the state.
The LASWA boss, therefore, mandated the LASWA’s Search and Rescue Unit to improve their response time during emergencies.
This is as he reminded the unit that it was established to deal with such cases.
With the huge potential of water transportation in the state, Emmanuel affirmed that the state government is doing all it can to ensure that the sector is not only viable but safe.
He also assured residents that the government was ready to come down hard on any operator who endangers the lives of people.
According to the GM, one of the boat drivers whose negligence caused a mishap some years ago has been 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,” he cautioned.
Emmanuel, however, highlighted that the agency parley with the manufacturer of Yamaha, which manufactures most of the engines used in boats in the state, to reduce the price they sell to the boat operators to enhance safety.
He implored passengers on the waterways to be safety conscious always. “The life jacket can save you. Buy your life jacket if you must.
“Inspect the life jackets that you are given and make sure it does not have holes or are torn while avoiding night travels.”
He reminded Lagosians that safety consciousness is a collective responsibility if they see something unusual on the waterways.