Education
LASWA tightens safety measures as waterways drive Lagos economy – EnviroNews
– Advertisement –
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) says improved safety measures, electric boats and real-time surveillance are helping to reduce accidents as waterways become increasingly important to business and commuting in the state.
The General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said this on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the 11th edition of the three-day Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK) in Lagos.
He said the waterways were previously dominated by informal operators using polluting two-stroke engines, which posed risks to human health and the environment.
Emmanuel was represented by LASWA’s Head of Operations, Mr. Ibrahim Oladayo.
He said the authority had begun transitioning operators to cleaner alternatives and was deploying electric boats to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency.
He said LASWA currently has 103 riverine marshals deployed across jetties and terminals to enforce passenger-manifest compliance and ensure that operators and passengers followed safety regulations.
According to him, regular training, advocacy and enforcement have contributed to a reduction in accidents, while patrol boats provide rapid response during emergencies.
Emmanuel said LASWA also operates a Command-and-Control Centre that monitors boats in real time and coordinates emergency responses on the waterways.
He said the authority conducts bi-annual inspections of jetties and terminals, alongside random checks, to ensure that vessels meet safety standards before departure.
The GM added that passengers were encouraged to own personal life jackets in addition to those provided by the government.
He said LASWA also used video evidence and customer relationship management platforms to address complaints and receive feedback from waterway users.
Emmanuel identified night travel, activities by fishermen, loggers, miners and dredgers, as well as illegal pipes across waterways, as some of the major challenges to safe navigation.
He advised residents to avoid night travel and called for a waterways policy to regulate operating hours.
He said LASWA now reports directly to the governor on matters relating to the blue economy.
Emmanuel said the authority’s safety model was attracting interest from other states and agencies, with more than 126 seeking support and collaboration following the Supreme Court judgment.
He said the World Bank-backed project would upgrade 25 jetties, introduce electric boats of different capacities and phase out old vessels through a cooperative vessel improvement plan.
Mr. Okechukwu Eze of Eaglex Law Practice, who moderated a session titled, “Actualising Safety of Waterways and Deep Offshore”, said water transport was faster than road travel for many Lagos residents, particularly those travelling to Ikorodu, Apapa and other riverine communities.
Eze said the safety of the waterways was therefore a critical economic and social issue.
He welcomed LASWA’s expanded mandate following the Supreme Court judgment and urged stakeholders to focus on practical measures that would prevent accidents rather than respond only after incidents occurred.
By Aisha Cole
