Following
the unfortunate boat incident that occurred on Saturday, the Lagos State
Waterways Authority (LASWA) has summoned an emergency meeting with all
commercial boat operators in the state on Tuesday, February 2, just as it vowed
to clamp down on boat operators who continue to contravene the rules and regulations
guiding their operations.
In
a statement signed by the Managing Director of LASWA, Mrs. Abisola Kamson, the
meeting which will focus on the compliance of safety standards of vessels
operating on the state waterways will hold at the LASWA office in Falomo Ikoyi
by 9:30am.
“Despite
efforts by the State Government to enforce the safety standards on the
waterways, some boat operators still flout the rules and regulations thereby
putting the lives of innocent citizens at risk”.
“The
Lagos State Government will not tolerate the operation of substandard vessels
on the waterways. Any individual or corporate entity found to be operating
vessels not deemed water worthy will be prosecuted in accordance with the
provisions of the law,” she said.
Kamson
who confirmed the boat mishap at Ibeshe, Ikorodu said the incident occurred at
approximately 10:20am on a boat, Amen Limited, of Aki Marine Company belonging
to one Mr. Akeem Balogun, which was travelling from Ijede to Badore East.
She
said although all passengers on the boat were wearing their life jackets, the
covered design of the boat made rescue efforts challenging.
Kamson
said that survivors rescued were immediately taken to the Ijede General
Hospital for treatment, while investigations are ongoing in collaboration with
the Marine Police.
The
LASWA boss who was at the scene of the incident reaffirmed the State Government’s
commitment to ensuring all operators plying the Lagos waterways comply with
safety standards to prevent future loss of life and property.
SIGNED
ABISOLA
KAMSON
MANAGING
DIRECTOR
LAGOS
STATE WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
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