By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) says improved safety measures, electric boats and real-time surveillance are helping to reduce accidents on the state’s waterways.
The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, stated this on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the 11th edition of the three-day Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK) in Lagos.
Emmanuel, who was represented by LASWA’s Head of Operations, Mr Ibrahim Oladayo, said the waterways were previously dominated by informal operators using polluting two-stroke engines, posing risks to human health and the environment.
He said the authority was transitioning operators to cleaner alternatives, including electric boats, to reduce carbon emissions and improve operational efficiency.
According to him, LASWA currently has 103 riverine marshals deployed across jetties and terminals to enforce passenger-manifest compliance and ensure adherence to safety regulations.
He said regular training, advocacy and enforcement had contributed to a reduction in accidents, while patrol boats enabled rapid response to emergencies.
Emmanuel added that LASWA operates a Command-and-Control Centre that monitors boats in real time and coordinates emergency responses across the waterways.
He said the authority conducts bi-annual inspections of jetties and terminals, alongside random checks, to ensure vessels meet safety standards before departure.
The GM encouraged passengers to own personal life jackets in addition to those provided by the government. He added that LASWA uses video evidence and customer relationship management platforms to address complaints and receive feedback from waterway users.
Emmanuel identified night travel, fishing, logging, mining, dredging and illegal pipes across waterways as major challenges to safe navigation.
He advised residents to avoid night travel and called for a policy to regulate operating hours on the waterways.
He said LASWA now reports directly to the governor on matters relating to the blue economy.
Emmanuel added that the authority’s safety model had attracted interest from other states and agencies, with more than 126 seeking support and collaboration following the Supreme Court judgment.
He said a World Bank-backed project would upgrade 25 jetties, introduce electric boats of different capacities and phase out old vessels through a cooperative vessel improvement plan.
Also speaking, Mr Okechukwu Eze of Eaglex Law Practice, who moderated a session titled, “Actualising Safety of Waterways and Deep Offshore,” said water transport was faster than road travel for many Lagos residents, particularly those travelling to Ikorodu, Apapa and other riverine communities.
Eze described waterway safety as a critical economic and social issue, welcoming LASWA’s expanded mandate following the Supreme Court judgment.
He urged stakeholders to prioritise practical measures that would prevent accidents rather than focus only on responding to incidents after they occur.
