BREAKING NEWS, Business Briefs
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THE Lagos State has restated its commitment to ensuring that security and safety is ascertained by the operators and users of the State waterways.
At a stakeholders meeting held at the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Yard recently, Abisola Kamson, the managing director of the Authority, reiterated that security and safety on the State waterways is paramount and that government will continue to collaborate with the marine police and other security agents in this regard.
She noted that the State Government had donated two armoured boats to Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Marine Police towards ensuring adequate security, adding that the Agency will continue to monitor and carry out its oversight functions on the waterways on daily basis through its Water Guards Corps.
While disclosing that LASWA has on several occasions donated life jackets to operators and users of the waterways, Kamson pointed out that over 1000 life jackets have been donated to students and boat operators in riverine areas across the State.
The LASWA boss explained that part of the oversight functions of the Agency is to ensure boat operators comply with set rules and regulations as well as ascertain that standard life jackets and correct colour code are being used, stressing that the Authority usually seize fake life jackets from operators and replaced them with standard once at no cost.
She averred that the clearing of water hyacinth and debris by the LASWA has also been part of its efforts at ensuring safety on waterways, adding that wrecks on waterways are also being identified and demarcated for visibility to prevent collision.
While imploring operators and users to pay heed to weather reports issued by the Authority as the raining season approaches, she reiterated the commitment of the Ambode led administration to the development of water transportation as an alternative mode of transport in the State in line with international standard and best practices.
She added that the State is embarking on channelization of waterways to allow for passage of different size vessel and free movements of boat and commuters.
Oguntola Dayo, vice chairman of the United Water Ways Passengers Association, on behalf of the association urged the state government, through LASWA, to be more proactive in holding boat operators responsible for their activities, noting that it is imperative for boat operators, captains and deck crew to be properly trained and certified before operating on the waterways.
He enjoined the authority to intensify efforts on public awareness campaign on safety, clearing of the waterways and the danger inherent in the activities of dredgers and loggers.
He advised the state government to create more jetties and terminals with “Park and Ride” option to suit the growing number of people using water transport across the State, adding that no fewer than 1000 commuters use the boat from Ikorodu axis during the week.
Oguntola also posited the need for zonal water medical ambulances to be stationed across the State jetties to aid prompt medical responses.
— Mar 22, 2016 @ 18:15 GMT
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