LASWA Strengthens Waterway Safety As Lagos Expands Blue Economy
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has intensified safety measures across the state’s waterways as increasing water transport activities continue to support commuting, trade and other economic activities.
The General Manager of LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this on Wednesday at the 11th edition of the three-day Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK) in Lagos.
Emmanuel, who was represented at the event by the agency’s Head of Operations, Ibrahim Oladayo, said the authority had introduced a combination of enhanced enforcement, cleaner vessels and real-time surveillance to improve safety on the waterways.
He explained that Lagos waterways were previously dominated by informal operators using polluting two-stroke engines, which posed risks to both human health and the environment.
According to him, LASWA is gradually transitioning operators to cleaner alternatives, including electric boats, as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, improve operational efficiency and promote a more sustainable water transport system.
Emmanuel said the authority currently had 103 riverine marshals deployed across jetties and terminals to enforce compliance with passenger manifests and ensure that operators and passengers adhered to established safety regulations.
He added that regular training, advocacy and enforcement had contributed to a reduction in waterway accidents, while patrol boats had been positioned to provide quick response during emergencies.
The LASWA boss also disclosed that the authority operates a Command-and-Control Centre equipped to monitor boats in real time and coordinate emergency responses across the waterways.
He said LASWA conducts bi-annual inspections of jetties and terminals, in addition to random checks, to ensure that vessels meet prescribed safety requirements before they are allowed to operate.
Emmanuel urged passengers to take personal responsibility for their safety by owning personal life jackets, even though life jackets are provided by the government on water transport services.
He said the authority had also adopted video evidence and customer relationship management platforms to improve the handling of complaints and enable waterway users to provide feedback on their experiences.
While highlighting progress recorded in improving safety, Emmanuel identified night travel, the activities of fishermen, loggers, miners and dredgers, as well as illegal pipes across waterways, as some of the major challenges confronting safe navigation.
He advised residents to avoid travelling on the waterways at night and called for the development of a dedicated waterways policy to regulate operating hours and improve safety.
Emmanuel further said LASWA now reports directly to the Lagos State Governor on matters concerning the blue economy, reflecting the growing importance of the waterways to the state’s economic development agenda.
He disclosed that LASWA’s safety model had attracted interest from other states and government agencies, with more than 126 seeking support and collaboration following the Supreme Court judgment that expanded the authority’s mandate.
He also announced plans under a World Bank-backed project to upgrade 25 jetties, introduce electric boats of different capacities and phase out ageing vessels through a cooperative vessel improvement plan.
Speaking during a session titled, “Actualising Safety of Waterways and Deep Offshore,” the moderator, Okechukwu Eze of Eaglex Law Practice, said water transport had become a faster alternative to road transportation for many Lagos residents, particularly those travelling to Ikorodu, Apapa and other riverine communities.
Eze stressed that the safety of the waterways was therefore not only a transportation concern but also an important economic and social issue.
He commended LASWA’s expanded mandate and urged stakeholders to prioritise preventive measures capable of stopping accidents before they occur rather than concentrating primarily on responses after incidents.
The discussions formed part of efforts to strengthen safety, sustainability and efficiency across Lagos’ waterways as the state continues to position its blue economy as a major driver of economic growth.
