Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have jointly launched an intensive safety campaign to promote safe water transportation across Lagos during the high-traffic festive season.
The initiative, announced on Monday, focuses on strict enforcement of safety procedures for boat operators and passengers, as well as expanded surveillance across major routes and jetties.
Under the strengthened guidelines, passengers are required to wear standard, certified life jackets at all times, while operators must maintain accurate passenger manifests, adhere to routine vessel checks, and strictly comply with the ban on night travel after 7:00 p.m.
Both agencies also emphasised the importance of monitoring weather advisories, noting that boat trips must be suspended whenever unsafe conditions are forecast.
As part of the campaign, LASWA and NIWA will increase patrols along busy waterways and terminals, warning that violators of safety rules will face sanctions. They urged commuters to play their part by boarding only at authorised jetties and reporting any unsafe practices to officials on duty.
The agencies said the joint effort is aimed at ensuring a safe, reliable, and accident-free water transport experience for residents throughout the festive period.