LSSC TAKES SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO JETTIES

In its resolve to stem the tide of boat mishaps, injury or deaths, the Lagos Safety Commission (LSSC) has taken its safety campaign to various jetties in the State.

Flagging off the campaign at the Tazan Boat jetty, Lekki,  the Director General, of the Commission, Mrs. Dominga Odebunmi stated that the exercise is to deliberate on operational challenges and way forward.

According to Odebunmi, safety is a critical tool for development and protection of lives and proprieties, stressing that boating, which entails the use of canoes for fishing and transportation, has been part of the cultural heritage of Lagosians.
The Director General said further that the decision to embark on safety advocacy was necessitated by the unfortunate boat disaster in Majidun area of Ikorodu  in which no fewer than 18 people lost their lives last year.

Odebunmi emphasised the need for operators to maintain their boats and jetties for safe operations.
She also called on boat operators and passengers alike to abide by laws guiding boat operations in the state and to avail themselves of boating courses and other modern techniques in boat operation to ensure safety of lives and properties on Lagos waters.

Reiterating the State Government’s decision to reduce accidents to the barest minimum, Odebunmi stressed that the Commission is empowered by law to regulate safety activities through policy formulation, advocacy, research, standard setting as well as quality assurance and monitoring, among others.

Also speaking, Dr. Mashileya of Gani Tazan Marine Enterprises noted that the number of boat mishaps have reduced as a result of the state government’s determination and cooperation with boat operators in the state.

While imploring government to provide ambulances on waterways, he urged operators to ensure that passengers wear their life jackets before embarking on boat ride.

Mr. Ajayi Michael, Deputy Director, Lagos State Fire Service spoke of the need to be safety conscious always, giving assurance that the state Fire Service will soon commence operations on the waterways as the state government recently commissioned 34 fire fighting vehicles as part of its resolve to combat fire incidence.

An official of LASWA, Mr. Bayo explained that the decision to discourage  night trips  by government  had become imperative because  a good number of boat mishaps  occurred at night.

He therefore solicited for the cooperation of operators in respect of regular inspection of vessels, maintenance of life jackets and the need to discourage over loading.

A jetty in Lagos

CMS Jetty