BOAT MISHAPS: SPEAKER SAYS ‘LAGOS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT LIVES’

Lagos, Nigeria, February 8, 2016 – Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa today lambasted the Lagos State Government, noting that it is not doing enough to protect lives and property of residents on the waterways.

Over 11 lives were lost in two boat mishaps in the last two weeks. Obasa spoke on the floor of the House when Chairman, House Committee on Transport, Mr. Mojeeb Fatai complained about incessant boat mishaps on Lagos waterways.

He said that much needed to be done to forestall loss of lives on waterways as an alternative to de-congest the road. According to him, the spate of boat mishaps in the state bothers the government which has the primary responsibility to protect lives and properties.

“It is our responsibility to protect lives and property of our people… We are not doing enough to protect our people, we should evaluate our laws on water transports. Our major concern is to protect the people,” he said.
He called on the state government to do more on licensing and evaluation of boats that ply the waterways. He said government needed to provide sea officers to monitor waterways just like the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to ensure safety.

Obasa said it had become necessary to invite Commissioner of Transport, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport and the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to explain what could to done to stop needless losses.

Earlier, Fatai said that the committee’s visit to the scene of Jan. 21 boat mishap in Ikorodu revealed that the boat was very weak, the captain was inexperience and exceeding the standard speed.
According to him, out of 18 persons on board, seven died while 11 were rescued alive.
“It is therefore imperative to call on the governor to direct all relevant agencies to comply with safety regulation on waterways,” the chairman said.

Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Rotimi Olowo said that LASWA had failed to compel boat operators to comply with safety rules.

He called on the governor to attract foreign investment iinto waterways to. Make journey on waterways seamless.
In his contribution, Majority Leader, Mr. Sanai Agunbiade said it is in the law that operators of this boats should insist on the use of life jacket when a passenger resist, but I think they are only interested in money.
“The law should be looked into and be amended.” Also speaking, Mr Abiodun Tobun, urged the government to invest more in purchase of boats just as it did for LAGBUS.