The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has partnered with the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and the global ferry association, Interferry, in a renewed drive to enhance safety across the state’s inland waterways.
The partnership, formalised during a facility tour of key jetties and terminals in Lagos on Monday, is aimed at assessing existing safety levels and identifying areas for improvement through knowledge sharing, training, and international collaboration.
General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, who hosted the delegation, said the collaboration was part of efforts by the state government to sustain and deepen safety reforms on water routes.
Speaking on the agency’s ongoing efforts to improve safety on Lagos’ inland waterways, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, outlined a series of targeted interventions.
“Safety begins with the basics,” he said. “We have made the use of life jackets mandatory, and our water guards are stationed at jetties to enforce compliance among all passengers and crew.”
He explained that LASWA conducts biannual inspections of all registered boats to ensure they meet operational and safety standards. “This regular check not only keeps vessels in shape but also helps us identify and correct potential hazards before they escalate,” he said.
To modernise oversight and respond swiftly to incidents, the agency has integrated technology into its operations. “We now monitor several of our jetties in real time and maintain direct communication with boat operators during their journeys,” Emmanuel stated. “This allows for quicker response in emergencies and better coordination overall.”
In addition to infrastructure and monitoring, the agency has intensified its public sensitisation and training programmes. “We consistently engage passengers on safety protocols and run workshops for boat captains and deckhands, many of which are organised in partnership with firms like Yamaha,” he noted.
Interferry, which is engaging with West Africa for the first time, is a global safety organisation with members across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Corrigan, disclosed that 12 maritime safety experts had joined the Lagos tour to assist LASWA in identifying and addressing safety gaps.
“We’re here to share what we’ve learned globally and offer LASWA our guidance and technical support,” Corrigan stated. “LASWA is now a member of Interferry, and Lagos is currently the only African city with which we have this level of engagement.”
He added that the association views Africa as a critical frontier for expanding ferry safety standards and intends to increase its presence on the continent.
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