The Lagos State waterways Authority LASWA has advised the commercial boat operators and all waterways users to strictly adhere to new guidelines for the operations of water transportation system in Lagos state.
In a statement issued at the weekend by the General Manager, Lagos State waterways Authority, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the new guidelines is aimed at curtailing the spread of Coronavirus in the State.
The Agency had consulted and communicated with all stakeholders including Terminal Operators and the leadership of Association of Tourist Boat and Water Transport of Nigeria, (ATBOWATON), Lagferry and other private boat operators to further enlighten their members and staff on the proactive safety measures put in place by the state government.
The GM stated that no ferry would be allowed to operate except those that comply strictly with all precautionary measures such as disinfection of ferry before embarking on any trip, loading of passengers not more than 60% of Boat capacity, provision of hand sanitizers and wearing of face mask by all waterways users.
Terminal operators are also mandated to provide hand washing equipment with soap for the use of everyone coming into the terminal while also ensuring social distancing rule within their premises.
The GM LASWA warned that the agency will not hesitate to sanction any operator that disobeys the government directive which takes effect from Monday 4th of May 2020.
Furthermore, he said, “our Water Guards would be on standby at every jetty and terminal to ensure compliance while the LASWA Monitoring Team and Marine Police will be on regular patrol of the waterways to apprehend violators. To this end, we solicit the support of everyone in our effort to avoid the spread of Coronavirus to the water transport sector.”
Following the Directives from the Federal and State Government, Water Transport Operations within the State shall;
- Be between the hours of 6am – 5pm daily starting from 4th May, 2020 until further notice.
- Boat Operators and Passengers are mandated in addition to life jackets to wear face mask at all times, sanitize with alcohol based sanitizers or wash their hands with soap and running water before and after each trip.
- All passengers are advised to have their own personal lifejacket to curtail the spread of the Corona Virus.
- All Boat/Ferry Operators/Companies are expected to disinfect their Boats/Ferry and Terminal regularly and continuously (for Boats/Ferry at least before and after each trip).
- All Boat/Ferry Operators/Companies are expected to have at the entrance of their respective terminals hand washing equipment with running water and alcohol based sanitizers.
- All Railings and seating areas in the terminals must be disinfected at intervals within the day by cleaners.
- All Boat/Ferry Operators are expected to have Alcohol Based Sanitizers in their Boat/Ferry for Operators and passengers.
- Terminals must not be overcrowded with passengers and commercial activities at any point in time. Social distancing is required for passengers queuing to board Boat/Ferry. NCDC recommends that at least 2m (5feet) distance is required between people.
- Operators are not allowed to over crowd/over load their Boats/Ferries at this point in time. All public Boats/ferries should be 60% capacity.
- Public Transport Operators/Company must have temperature readers to test each passenger before boarding the Boat/Ferry.
- Operators/Companies must collaborate with LAWMA for prompt waste disposal at their respective terminals.
- Operators/Companies and passengers are expected to report immediately, any suspected case of COVID-19 to the Authority or call 08000CORONA.
- Passengers are also expected to report any Operator/Company that does not comply with these guidelines to the Waterguards at the Terminal/Jetty or call/ WhatsApp 08090129777 to report to the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) stating the Boat/Ferry name, Route, Terminal and Time of incident.
- Boat Operators,Passengers and other stakeholders are mandated to comply with these guidelines as the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) monitoring and enforcement team will be deployed for prompt enforcement with heavy Sanctions.
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