Stakeholders have emphasised the need for boat operators to adhere strictly to safety rules in order to eradicate the menace of boat accidents on the nation’s waterways.
The stakeholders made this call on
Wednesday in Lagos at the Ferry Safety Development/Mentoring Programme for
ferry operators, organised by the Lagos State Waterways Authority in
collaboration with Interferry.
Speaking at the programme, the Special
Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel,
said the initiative marks a historic milestone as Africa’s first ferry safety
development and mentoring programme.
According to him, ensuring the safety of
everyone who journeys on our waterways is not just a duty; it has been a
calling for over 10 years that I have been at the head of Lagos Waterways.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to
this cause with renewed vigour and ambition. Over the next 18 months, 50
exceptional ferry professionals will embark on a transformative journey of
training and mentorship, guided by world-class experts from Interferry and
Nigeria’s leading maritime institutions. Among you are captains, deckhands,
marine engineers, safety officers, and of course, fleet managers, each vital to
our mission,” Emmanuel said.
While acknowledging a decline in boat
accidents in the state, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel stressed the need for operators
to strictly adhere to established rules and regulations.
“Because if you don’t cooperate with the
rules and regulations, there’s no way we are going to have a safe waterway. I
think we have still kept records. As of last year, we just had one major
incident, which was almost towards the end of the year, which was very sad for
us, because Lagos has gone the whole year without any major incidents,” he
stated.
He added that the structured high-level
training programme blends self-paced learning, dynamic online mentorship, and
hands-on practical sessions.
Emmanuel stressed that together, these
pioneers will usher in a new era of safety culture on Lagos waterways.
He said, “Permit me at this point to say
that over 10 years ago, when I started working in LASWA, I remember accidents
were a frequent occurrence on these waterways. I would go home thinking, I hope
they’re not going to call me and tell me there’s an accident that is coming.
“We just want to continue to emphasise
that we cannot overemphasise safety. Safety is so important. Before we talk
about prosperity, before we talk about better health, we need to imbibe the
safety culture.”
He stated that the collaboration with
Interferry is a testament to Lagos’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding every
passenger on every vessel and every single day, reaffirming the government’s
dedication to creating a safe, efficient, and world-class inland waterway
system for all.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of
Interferry, Mike Corrigan, said the programme is the company’s commitment to
improving safety in the developing world.
“Because we know that safe waterways are
critical to stimulating economies and growth. We understand and know that it’s
an 18-month programme with 18 different modules. And we are going to be along
with you for the entire ride. While we can’t be there in person for the entire
journey, we plan to get there whenever we can,” he said.
A representative of the Lagos Area
Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Kelvin Abah, congratulated
LASWA and Interferry on the historic launch.
“As the apex regulatory body of NIWA,
NIWA is proud to be associated with this laudable initiative. Safety is a
shared mission, and we appreciate the 18-month programme. Reliable water
transportation is the bedrock of the blue economy. LASWA is setting a stellar
benchmark for water safety,” Abah said.
A representative from the Nigerian
Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mr Stanley Wali, said that the
initiative shows a commitment to enhancing safety in the maritime ecosystem.
“Safety is a top priority; the programme
is timely. Safety on the waterways is a shared responsibility, and NIMASA
remains committed to delivering international conventions for the country. This
is aimed at reducing loss of lives and property on the waterways,” he said.
The 18-month programme aims to train 50
boat operators to elevate ferry safety standards, enhance operational
efficiency, and improve professional competencies across the Lagos water
transport sector.
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