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By Steve Agbota
As the Yuletide season peaks and travel activities expected to increase across water transport corridors, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have announced a strengthened, collaborative safety and security campaign to ensure safer passenger movement during the festive season.
The joint effort reinforces the commitment of both agencies to safeguarding lives, promoting seamless operations, and enhancing stakeholder cooperation across all inland waterways in Lagos.
“Safety on our waterways is not negotiable. This collaboration with NIWA amplifies our enforcement capacity and improves coordination with security agencies, vessel operators, and local communities to ensure a secure and joyful festive season for all waterway users,” Emmanuel Damilola, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Blue Economy said.
According to a statement issued by the waterways authority, the joint safety and security strategy between the two agencies during the festive period aimed at enhancing joint patrols, unified vessel safety compliance, advanced weather and water condition monitoring and a strict zero-alcohol boarding policy.
“Coordinated patrols by LASWA, NIWA, Marine Police, and community safety volunteers along major routes and terminals, especially during peak periods and at night.
“Joint safety checks and inspections on all commercial passenger vessels before and during the holidays, random spot checks to enforce regulatory compliance, operational licensing, and safety equipment standards.
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“Real-time monitoring and swift safety advisories to operators and commuters, including route adjustments where needed, passengers and crew members showing signs of intoxication will be denied boarding to protect all onboard,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, the success of the campaign hinges on the cooperation of both operators and passengers. The LASWA management urged passengers to wear life jackets properly as required and obey safety instructions from crew and authorities, avoid boarding overloaded vessels, as well as supervise children and report suspicious or unsafe activities.
It listed operators’ requirements to include valid licenses, complete passenger manifests, and updated safety equipment.
It added that operators must display emergency contact signage clearly, maintain properly trained crews and enforce capacity limits.
“Passengers and operators are encouraged to report emergencies to:
The nearest LASWA or NIWA official at terminals, or the hotline numbers prominently displayed at jetties and terminals.
“This season is a time for celebration, and we can only achieve safe and enjoyable travels when everyone, regulators, operators, and passengers, plays their part. Together, we will ensure safe navigation and compliance on all waterways,” the Area Manager, NIWA Lagos Area Office, Sarat Buraimoh said.
