The Lagos State Government in western Nigeria, has warned boat operators in the state’s waterways against overs-speeding in order to safeguard the lives of passengers on water.
The warning followed the Baiyeku Boat mishap which claimed the lives of five people last Saturday.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Jafar Sanuth, gave this warning when he paid a condolence visit to the Baiyeku Community on Sunday after the boat mishap in the area.
According to him, over-speeding puts the lives of passengers on water in danger, adding that they should also desist from overloading their boats.
Sanuth advised them to embrace safety precautions, especially the use of life jackets and regular maintenance of their boats.
“Boat operators should minimize their speed and avoid overloading. Water transportation remains safe and cost effective. Fishermen should put flags on their fishing nets on water for easy identification by boat operators,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary further advised boat operators to have manifest of all the passengers traveling in their boats for identification and record purposes.
The Executive Secretary, Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Taiwo Orenuga, commended the state government for the prompt response and advised the Community Development Associations, CDAs, to further educate their members on safety precautions.
The Baale of the Community, Chief Saheed Ajibode, said the state government officials acted promptly in coming to the aid of the people by rescuing 17 passengers.
One of the survivors, Abdul-Rasheed Kareem, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, who is currently on industrial attachment with a Survey firm in the area, said the outboard engine developed fault on their way to Baiyeku before the ill-fated boat ran into fishing nets and capsized.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Quadri, advised the boat operators in the state to call for another boat for immediate evacuation of the passengers whenever they experienced any mechanical fault while on water.
The delegation also paid a visit to the victims receiving treatment in the hospital.
The ill-fated boat with 20 passengers and two crew members was coming from Oke Ira Nla near Badore-Ajah to Baiyeku in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA when it capsized, killing five passengers, while 17 people were rescued.
