NIWA, LASWA Partner Private Sector To Boost Water Safety, Tourism In Lagos

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) have strengthened collaboration with the private sector to improve safety, water transportation and tourism across Lagos waterways.

The commitment was made during the fifth edition of the Tour of Lagos Waterways, organised by Thesaurus Bay on October 1 as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Day.

The annual initiative is aimed at changing public perception of Lagos waterways by exposing residents and visitors to the city’s marine environment while promoting water transportation, marine tourism, waterfront development and investment opportunities.

Speaking at the event, the NIWA Area Manager, Lagos Area Office, Sarat Braimah, said safety remained fundamental to the growth of water transportation, noting that sustained public sensitisation had contributed to a reduction in boat mishaps across the state.

Braimah said Lagos was endowed with extensive navigable waterways capable of supporting tourism and a wide range of economic activities, stressing that the potential of the sector remained largely untapped.

According to her, the development of the blue economy must include greater utilisation of waterways for tourism, including boat cruises, waterfront restaurants, recreational facilities and other businesses.

She explained that NIWA had established rules and regulations governing activities on inland waterways and continued to sensitise boat operators and passengers on compliance with safety requirements.

Braimah estimated that the waterways sector was currently operating at between 40 and 50 per cent of its potential, highlighting the need for greater investment and collaboration to unlock its economic value.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy, Damilola Emmanuel, said the state government was strengthening regulation while creating an enabling environment for private-sector participation in water transportation and tourism.

Emmanuel said all boats operating on Lagos waterways were required to be certified, adding that state and federal authorities were working together to ensure compliance with established safety standards.

He disclosed that Lagos had introduced biannual inspection of boats, while real-time monitoring and communication systems were being deployed to track vessels and facilitate communication between operators and the LASWA control room.

He added that the state government had invested in jetties and terminals to improve passenger movement and facilitate safer embarkation and disembarkation.

Emmanuel, however, warned that enforcement would continue against operators and facilities found violating waterways regulations.

The Chairman of Thesaurus Group and organiser of the event, Bolaji Olasode, said the Tour of Lagos Waterways was conceived to showcase the economic and tourism potential of the state’s waterways and encourage investment in marine tourism.

Olasode said his organisation currently operates four jetties in Sangotedo, Ikorodu, Mile 12 and Ketu, providing access to inland water transportation and helping commuters reach their destinations more efficiently.

He said the initiative was also designed to encourage residents to explore tourism attractions within Lagos during public holidays rather than travelling outside the country.

According to him, Lagos has significant potential for waterfront tourism, adding that the Tour of Lagos Waterways provides participants with an opportunity to view the city, waterfront communities and developments from a different perspective.

Olasode identified unregulated dredging, inadequate public awareness of maritime safety and limited public-private partnerships as some of the challenges hindering the growth of the sector.

He said the next phase of the initiative would focus on developing tourist destinations along Lagos creeks, with plans for conservation areas, aquariums, food production facilities and other activities capable of creating jobs and spreading economic opportunities to waterfront communities.

He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, private operators and other stakeholders, saying the organisation was open to partnerships and joint development of tourism products.

Olasode also disclosed plans to use the platform to support youth capacity development and corporate social responsibility programmes in waterfront communities.

He called for the development of a comprehensive blue economy master plan for Lagos to strategically position the state as a major marine tourism destination.

The event attracted government officials, private-sector operators and members of the public, and featured tours of Lagos waterways and waterfront developments, alongside discussions on water safety, transportation, tourism and investment.