LASWA, NIWA Step Up Joint Safety and Security Measures on Lagos Waterways for Festive Season

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have announced strengthened safety and security measures across Lagos waterways to ensure safe and seamless passenger movement during the festive season.

The joint initiative comes as travel activities increase in December and is aimed at safeguarding lives, improving operational efficiency and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders operating on inland waterways in the state.

Speaking on the initiative, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Blue Economy said the collaboration between LASWA and NIWA would significantly boost enforcement and safety oversight on Lagos waterways. He stressed that safety remains a top priority for the state government.

“Safety on our waterways is not negotiable. This partnership with NIWA strengthens our enforcement capacity and improves coordination with security agencies, vessel operators and host communities to ensure a secure and enjoyable festive season for all waterway users,” he said.

As part of the joint safety and security strategy, LASWA and NIWA will deploy enhanced patrols along major water routes and at jetties, especially during peak travel periods and nighttime operations. The patrols will be conducted in collaboration with the Marine Police and community safety volunteers.

The agencies also announced unified vessel safety compliance measures, including joint inspections of all commercial passenger boats before and throughout the festive period. In addition, random spot checks will be carried out to enforce adherence to operational licences, regulatory requirements and safety equipment standards.

To mitigate risks associated with adverse weather and water conditions, LASWA and NIWA said they would intensify real-time monitoring of waterways. Safety advisories will be promptly issued to operators and passengers when necessary, including possible route adjustments to ensure safe navigation.

A zero-alcohol boarding policy will also be strictly enforced. According to the agencies, passengers and crew members who show signs of intoxication will not be allowed to board vessels, as part of efforts to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all commuters.

The authorities urged passengers to take personal responsibility for their safety by wearing life jackets properly, obeying safety instructions, avoiding overloaded boats and supervising children at all times. Passengers were also encouraged to report any suspicious or unsafe activities to officials.

Boat operators were reminded of their responsibilities, which include ensuring valid licences, maintaining complete passenger manifests, equipping vessels with approved safety gear and displaying emergency contact information clearly. Operators are also expected to engage trained crew members and adhere strictly to approved passenger capacity limits.

In the event of an emergency, passengers and operators were advised to report incidents to LASWA or NIWA officials at jetties and terminals, or through the emergency hotline numbers displayed at various locations.

Also speaking, the Area Manager of the NIWA Lagos Area Office said the success of the initiative depends on collective responsibility.

“This season is a time for celebration, and safe and enjoyable travel can only be achieved when regulators, operators and passengers work together. With this collaboration, we will ensure safe navigation and full compliance across all Lagos waterways,” he said.

For enquiries or further information, members of the public may contact the Public Affairs Office of LASWA or NIWA via email at info@lagoswaterways.com or by phone on 0809 012 9777. Passengers were also encouraged to follow LASWA and NIWA on social media for real-time travel advisories and safety updates throughout the festive season.