Lagos boat mishap: Kalejaiye calls for safer waterways as number of death rises to seven
Akin Olayemi
Following a fatal boat mishap which led to the death of seven persons along Ikorodu Waterway, head of Otumara community in the Lagos Mainland Local Government of Lagos State, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye has called for a more secured and safe waterway.
Reacting to the death of seven people in a boat accident in Ikorodu on Friday, Kalejaiye in an interview with newsexplorersng.com said without safety and security of our waterways, sea borne transportation cannot flourish in the State.
While appealing to ferry operators and passengers to be more conscious about their safety and not violate laid down rules, he said, “We have heard cases of crimes being perpetrated on our waterways and I must commend the Lagos State government on its efforts to secure our water channel from criminal invasions. But a lot still needs to be done to secure Lagos water territory.
For instance, Friday night boat accident was as a result of an object which caused the 20-passenger commercial ferry to capsize. Officials from the State Waterways authority should periodically do a safety and security check on our water to promote safe and secured sea borne transportation.
It is only when waterways are safe that the level of patronage would increase and it would serve as revenue generation for the government.”
Kalejaiye however condoles with the families of the deceased passengers while praying to God to grant their souls eternal rest.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde has advised ferry operators and passengers not to violate government waterways rules.
Speaking on the efforts of the government to rescue victims in last Friday boat mishap, Oladeinde said immediate rescue efforts were deployed by the State government which include Lagos State Inland Waterways Authority (LASWA) search party, local boat operators search team, the Marine Police and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), were able to save 16 passengers, one in critical condition, while seven deaths were recorded.
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