Information culled from the website of Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State states that "Following the unfortunate
boat incident that occurred on Saturday, the Lagos State Waterways Authority
(LASWA) has summoned an emergency meeting with all commercial boat operators."
The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 2,
2016, according to the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways
Authority (LASWA), Mrs. Abisola Kamson, will focus on the compliance of safety
standards of vessels operating on the state waterways.
“Despite efforts by the State Government to
enforce the safety standards on the waterways, some boat operators still flout
the rules and regulations thereby putting the lives of innocent citizens at
risk.
“The Lagos State Government will not
tolerate the operation of substandard vessels on the waterways. Any individual
or corporate entity found to be operating vessels not deemed water worthy will
be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law,” she said.
Kamson who confirmed the boat mishap at Ibeshe,
Ikorodu said the incident occurred at approximately 10:20am on a boat, Amen
Limited, of Aki Marine Company belonging to one Mr. Akeem Balogun, which was
travelling from Ijede to Badore East.
She said although all passengers on the boat
were wearing their life jackets, the covered design of the boat made rescue
efforts challenging.
Kamson said that survivors rescued were
immediately taken to the Ijede General Hospital for treatment, while
investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the Marine Police.
The LASWA boss who was at the scene of the
incident reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to ensuring all operators
plying the Lagos waterways comply with safety standards to prevent future loss
of life and property.
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