In an attempt to forestall barge accidents caused by operators on the Lagos waterways, a joint inspection team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) went on joint inspection and enforcement exercise yesterday around the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal to detain barges with uncertified crew members and also to shut down unlicensed container terminals around the axis.
In a statement signed by the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, LASWA and other federal agencies on the waterways warned barge operators and other waterways stakeholders to always ensure adherence to waterways rules and regulations or risk being sanctioned.
The LASWA boss reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State government towards the safety of lives and properties on the waterways while encouraging sustainable investment into the water transport sector.
The joint operation team further said the enforcement exercise will be continuously carried out until the waterways is free of unqualified craft crews and substandard jetties.
In a related development the newly employed Water Guards of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) are currently undergoing training and capacity building in preparation to their deployment to various jetties and terminal within the state.
The new officers were trained on marine safety, pre boarding check, fire-fighting drill, operational hazards, crowd control, First Aid, CPR practices and conflict resolutions techniques.
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