…NIWA trains 252 boat captains and deck officials
Lagos boat operators have disclosed that they intentionally overspeed during coastal trips at twilight to avoid N50,000 fines collected by Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) for late arrival to ferry terminals.
This was one of the challenges highlighted by the operators when the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) organized a workshop for boat captains and deckhands at the Lagos Area Office on Saturday.
Some of the boat operators also noted that dredging activities also cause boat accidents as iron pipes are usually left on the waterways around Lekki routes while the dredgers also change the placement of equipment on the waterways.
In her response, the NIWA Lagos Area Office Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah assured the boat captains she would engage LASWA officials to allow 10-15minutes extra time after their jetty deadline.
Braimah, however, implored the boat captains to prioritize travelling at a slower pace, stressing that the challenge of running into dredging pipes, fishing nets, among others could be avoided if the operators minimize their speed.
At the meeting where 252 boat operators from the Lagos Zone B waterways route which includes; Ikorodu/Victoria Island, Badore/Ijede, Apapa/Marina, among others, Braimah warned that those who missed the training would be suspended from boat operations.
The NIWA Area Manager also noted that similar trainings will be scheduled for Zone A and Zone C in fee weeks in a bid to get boat operators in sync with the best practices and safety measures.
Speaking with News Diet, one of the participants, Mr. Bernard Ilemoboye, described the workshop as an impactful learning session for him, while adding that dredging operations around Victoria Island leads to boat accidents as iron pipes are left on the waterways.
“I have disclosed to NIWA operatives that dredgers around Lekki aside are always blocking the waterways with their iron pipes and they keep changing the locations as they work. You can pass a place in morning and observe their equipment in a particular location but when you come back later that day or the following day, they may have moved it to another place. So, these dredgers should be encouraged to do their work in a way that would not confuse boat operators. I have learnt a lot today, especially about safety and managing boat engines,” Bernard said.
Another boat operator at the seminar pointed out the need for floating jetties at Apapa and Marina ferry terminals, stressing there are challenges for small boats berthing at the ferry terminals.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines, the NIWA Lagos Area boss asserted that the Authority would hold meetings with dredgers in a bid to ensure their activities don’t continue to pose navigational threats to boat operations.
At the workshop, a resource person trained the participants on basic safety etiquettes, how to handle boat accidents to minimize casualties, tips to ensure durability of boats engines and other parts of the crafts, among other areas.
The trainer encouraged boat drivers to always navigate close to shore as soon as they realize any mechanical issue or storms that could lead to mishaps.
