The National
Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has threatened to ban activities of speed
boats also known as ‘flying coffins’ over series of accidents on Lagos
waterways.
Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has threatened to ban activities of speed
boats also known as ‘flying coffins’ over series of accidents on Lagos
waterways.
The General Manager, Lagos Area Office of NIWA, Engr. Muazu
Sambo, disclosed this
at a stakeholders’ meeting with boat users -United Waterways Passengers
Association (UWPA) and boat operators under the aegis of Association of Tourist
Boat Operators and Water Transportation of Nigeria (ATBOWATON).
It would be recalled that five people died in a boat accident in
Lagos last week Wednesday at about 5.57 pm when a boat capsized mid-sea on its
way to Ikorodu from Lagos
Island.
Lagos last week Wednesday at about 5.57 pm when a boat capsized mid-sea on its
way to Ikorodu from Lagos
Island.
It was also
gathered that an unclaimed corpse is still lying at the morgue because the identity
of the corpse remained unknown.
gathered that an unclaimed corpse is still lying at the morgue because the identity
of the corpse remained unknown.
Sambo who
bemoaned incessant deaths recorded on the Lagos waterways, also lamented lack
of standard fibre boats on the Lagos inland waterways said the authority had
given operators enough time to standardise their operations which they failed
to do.
He said, “As far as I am the area manager of Lagos Office,
flying coffins won’t operate again. In 2016, we gave them enough time to
standardise their operations by giving them opportunities to seek loans but
they have refused.” Speaking on issue of educating and enlightenment of
passengers, the GM said they would be trained on enforcing standards on the
inland waterways.
bemoaned incessant deaths recorded on the Lagos waterways, also lamented lack
of standard fibre boats on the Lagos inland waterways said the authority had
given operators enough time to standardise their operations which they failed
to do.
He said, “As far as I am the area manager of Lagos Office,
flying coffins won’t operate again. In 2016, we gave them enough time to
standardise their operations by giving them opportunities to seek loans but
they have refused.” Speaking on issue of educating and enlightenment of
passengers, the GM said they would be trained on enforcing standards on the
inland waterways.
Sambo also
identified wrecks, logs and fishermen as obstacle of safe navigation on the
Lagos Inland Waterways.
identified wrecks, logs and fishermen as obstacle of safe navigation on the
Lagos Inland Waterways.
Speaking, chairman
of UWPA, Pius Agbude lamented over-loading by boat operators including faulty
designs of their boats.
of UWPA, Pius Agbude lamented over-loading by boat operators including faulty
designs of their boats.
He said: “We should
know the actual number of persons that are supposed to be boarded in the boats
because we have about 20 persons which is always over-crowded.”
Leadership
know the actual number of persons that are supposed to be boarded in the boats
because we have about 20 persons which is always over-crowded.”
Leadership
