LASWA, NIWA unveil tough holiday safety rules to curb boat mishaps on Lagos waterways
Maureen Aguta
As Lagos braces for its annual surge in holiday travel, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have rolled out a joint safety campaign aimed at preventing accidents and strengthening compliance across the state’s busy inland waterways.
In a coordinated directive issued ahead of the December rush, both agencies announced stricter enforcement measures targeting commercial and private boat operators. The campaign—part of the annual Ember Months safety push—places heavy emphasis on discipline, preparedness and accountability on the water.
Under the new guidelines, operators are required to provide and ensure the use of standard, certified life jackets and maintain accurate passenger manifests before departure. Trips will not be permitted after 7:00 p.m., while operators must also carry out routine vessel and engine checks to guarantee seaworthiness.
The authorities stressed that only certified captains will be allowed to pilot passenger boats, and operators must strictly observe weight and passenger limits.
LASWA and NIWA also warned that trips must be suspended whenever weather advisories indicate unsafe conditions, a rule that has repeatedly proven critical in averting avoidable mishaps.
To drive compliance, the agencies’ Joint Search and Rescue Teams and Water Guards will increase patrols across high-traffic corridors and major terminals throughout the festive season. The heightened surveillance aims to deter reckless operations and provide rapid response in emergencies.
Passengers, too, have been assigned an active role. The authorities urged commuters to wear life jackets properly, avoid boarding from unauthorized jetties, refrain from pressuring captains to speed, and promptly report unsafe practices to officials on duty.
Reaffirming their commitment to safe water transportation, LASWA and NIWA said the campaign underscores the importance of shared responsibility among regulators, operators and passengers. Their goal, they noted, is a holiday season free of incidents on Lagos waterways.