Yuletide: Lagos govt restates ban on boat operations after 7.00pm

As the yuletide period approaches, the Lagos State Government has reiterated that the law banning boat operators from plying the state’s waterways beyond 7.00 pm each day remained in force.

The Director-General of the Lagos Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, and the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, disclosed this in a joint statement issued on Wednesday.

The statement also advised boat operators to adequately fuel their vessel tanks for their journeys, adding that fueling mid-sea was an unsafe practice.

The statement reads in part, “In line with the waterways’ safety code developed by all waterway’s regulators and stakeholders, boat transport, activities are to take place between 5:30 am and 7.00 pm every day. It is an offense for boat operators and passengers to be seen on inland waterways outside of these hours.

“Therefore, all waterways’ users are advised to strictly observe this time restriction in order to avoid boat mishaps. On no condition should anyone get on board a vessel after or before the stipulated operational hours likewise no passenger or operator can board a vessel without wearing a life vest with a standard buoyancy factor.

“This is very important because, in event of an accident, the user will be able to stay afloat for a few minutes before emergency responders arrive. In addition to using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, boat operators are mandated to have onboard safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid boxes, pool float (life buoys), and so on.”