Worried by the apparent
neglect of the Lagos waterways, the Association of Boat Operators, Lagos State has called on the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to remove all wrecks on Nigerian waterways to ensure smooth navigation.
The Public Relations Offcier, Lagos Boats Operators Association, Mr Lekan Adeyemi made the plea in an interview with The Tide in Lagos, recently.
He said the wrecks which are visible at the Ibru jetty close to Folawiyo tank and another at Kirikiri area tampered navigation at night.
He further explained that water transport business in the evening thrives in Lagos, but most operators are scared at night because of wrecks all over the waterways.
He noted that the boat operators along the Liverpool, Ijegun and Ojo areas are mostly hit by the situation, therefore urged the government, relevant agencies to come to their aids, adding that “we have no other business than this”.
In another development, Mr Babatunde Olabode, who operate Ojo route faulted claims in some quarters that the root cause of the recent accidents on Lagos waters were as a results of reckless piloting, saying the mishaps were caused by wrecks.
Olabode explained further that night navigation still exist despite NIWA’s directives banning night operations.
He, howevers confirmed that passengers onboard are well kitted with the right safety gadgets before navigation.
According to him, night passengers on waterways have increased geometrically compared to previous years, noted that many people are venturing into water transport business as the business stands lucrative than road transportation.
Olabode, confided on The Tide that Boat Operators have created massive employment in Nigeria more than before, while calling on both Federal and State governments to invest heavily in the sector.