The Lagos State Water
ways Authority (LASWA) has banned transport operators on waterways in the state from making night trips.
The ban followed the deadly boat mishap on the Festac Canal in which no fewer than 18 people lost their lives.
The Managing Director of LASWA, Mr Olayinka Marinho, announced the ban while speaking with reporters in Lagos.
He said that LASWA had been warning operators on waterways in the state to desist from embarking on night trips and to also ensure that ferry users used life jackets.
“The boat was travelling at night, over-loaded, and no one on board wore life jacket, it is unfortunate that people find it hard to heed warnings.
“Four school children and some adults have been confirmed dead, we are still carrying out investigations on the number of male adults on board.
“We don’t support passengers travelling at night in view of the threat to passengers’ security.
“No operator or passenger should travel at night, especially in boats without navigational lights.’’
The managing director said that the place where the victims were travelling to was not part of the authority’s ferry route.
He said that the non-motorised canoe was just making a five-minute crossing from one end of the canal to the other on the waterways when the incident occurred at about 7.30 p.m.
Marinho said that rescue operation was ongoing as there were still missing persons, adding that the authority would intensify enforcement of waterways regulations to forestall future occurrence.
“LASWA will continue to enforce the proper usage of life jackets, prevent over-loading and discourage night travel.’’
He warned that the law prohibiting night travel on waterways was still valid and that people engaging in such illegality would be doing so at their own risk.
Waterways in Lagos open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.