Yuletide: LASWA, NIWA launch joint safety campaign to protect travelers on waterways

As the celebration of Christmas and New Year is fast approaching, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have urged boat operators and passengers to work together to prevent avoidable accidents on Lagos waterways.

During this festive season, the two organisations said there would be a surge in the number of travellers on the waterways in the state.

In the new directive issued by NIWA and LASWA, all commercial and private boat operators must provide and enforce the use of standard, certified life jackets, maintain accurate passenger manifests before every trip, avoid commercial trips after 7:00 p.m. and conduct routine vessel and engine checks before departure.

Still in the directive, boat operators must adhere strictly to passenger and weight limits, ensure only certified captains operate passenger boats and monitor weather advisories and suspend trips when instructed.

To step up surveillance, the two organisations said their Joint Search and Rescue Teams and Water Guards will intensify patrols along busy waterways and terminals throughout the festive season.

They advised passengers to support safety efforts by wearing life jackets properly, boarding only at authorized jetties, avoiding pressure on captains to speed, and reporting any unsafe practices immediately to LASWA/NIWA officials.

The agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure a safe, reliable, and accident-free water transport experience across Lagos.