Boat Accident: Lagos Agencies, Marine Police Go Tough On Operators

The Lagos State Government and the Marine Police have warned boat operators plying waterways in the state against violating the rules guiding their mode of transport.

The Director-General, Lagos Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke- Osanyintolu; his counterpart at the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Omojola and the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel gave this warning on Thursday.

The warning was posted on the Twitter handle of LASEMA by its director-general.

They said water transport in the state remained safe and the agencies in conjunction with marine police were ready to enforce the rules to make the waterways safer.

They spoke against the backdrop of the passenger boat which capsized in the state about two weeks ago.

The agencies said operators must register passengers on board their boats, ensure that appropriate life jackets were worn by everyone on board and must refrain from travelling beyond 7pm.

The tweet read, “Lagosians can confidently use the Lagos waterways and it’s absolutely safe. All boat operators must abide by the guiding rules by ensuring all passengers are properly registered on the pasengers manifest and use genuine life jackets.

“Operators must have life buoys and ensure they do not ply the waterways beyond 7pm. The marine police are also fully involved.

“The DG LASEMA stated that aside the regular 767 or 112 Toll Free Emergency numbers, Lagosians are free to call Head of LASEMA’s Lekki Zone and Marine Unit, Mr Semire Ilori on 08034456121, the Director of Operations, Engr. Olatunde Akinsanya or his personal line 08060907333 incase of any emergency of useful observation emergency management is everybody’s business.”