One person has been reported dead and 27 others escaped death as a boat carrying 27 passengers capsized few metres away from the jetty where it took off.
Emergency workers such as the Lagos State Water Ways Authority, Nigeria inland water ways Authority, LASEMA Emergency Response Team, LASAMBUS and the Nigeria police who responded promptly to the incident had a hectic time rescuing the victims.
The boat was said to have capsized at about 9.55 am on the waters ways behind Dangote Company, Ebute in Ikorodu shortly after taking off from Origin Jetty.
The general manager of LASEMA , Mr. Akindele said the boat which took off from Ikorodu en route Victoria Island was over loaded, saying instead of 21 passengers, the boat conveyed 28 passengers and was said to be on high speed when it collided with log of woods on the water ways resulting to the mishap.
Akindele advised boat operators to avoid over speeding and to always comply with safety regulations on the water ways to avoid loss of lives. He said proper investigation would be conducted on the incident.
The managing director, of the Lagos State Waterways Authority Engr. Abisola Kamson commiserated with the family of the victim.
According to the press statement issued from her office, a ferry boat named traveling with 28 passengers hit a log submerged in the waterways, which damaged the single hull of the boat causing the boat to sink.
“Rescue operation started immediately and twenty seven passengers were rescued from the incident but unfortunately, one passenger was confirmed dead at the scene of the incident, investigation reveals that all passengers were wearing life jackets,” she said.
Kamson reiterated that LASWA and NIWA had issued out new guidelines and standards to boat operators in Lagos aimed at sanitizing and improving the waterways including a minimum double hull standard, among others.
She stated that operators were pleading for an extension in the implementation timeline, but noted that government is committed to ensuring that all steps were taken to mitigate any and all unfortunate incidents on the waterways.
“The state government will continue to intensify efforts to speed up the implementation of the new reforms in the waterways sector so as to prevent any unfortunate future occurrences,” she said.
Culled from naijapals
