….Calls for unified maritime standards
…MOWCA calls for regional collaboration, innovation
In a bold call for regional cooperation and innovation in water transportation, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat, addressed stakeholders from across West and Central Africa at the Regional Ferry Safety Conference, hosted by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
Describing Lagos as the “vibrant commercial heart of Nigeria,” Hamzat welcomed delegates to the event, emphasizing that ferry transportation is no longer optional but essential for cities like Lagos with over 25 million residents. “This conference is not merely timely; it is essential,” he declared.
“As we embrace growth, we must simultaneously uphold rigorous, enforceable, and technologically advanced safety standards.”
Highlighting Lagos State’s strategic investments in maritime infrastructure and safety, Hamzat noted the deployment of modern jetties, ferry terminals, digital monitoring systems, and the establishment of the first-ever Inland Waterways Monitoring and Data Management Centre.
Additionally, locally-built Omi Bus ferries have been introduced to enhance capacity and resilience.
The Deputy Governor stressed that ferry safety must be approached as a regional imperative, not just a local concern.
“We, as West and Central African states, must forge common safety frameworks, share crucial data, standardize training, and embrace innovation,” he said.
“GPS, radar, automation, and advanced ship designs are essential to revolutionizing ferry safety in our region.”
Calling on participants and regional partners including MOWCA and INTERFERRY, Hamzat urged that the conference serve as a catalyst for lasting change. “Let this gathering spark partnerships, aligned policies, and concrete solutions that will outlive the conference itself,” he added.
Reaffirming Lagos State’s leadership role, Hamzat concluded, “We are not only ready but also resolutely committed to creating a future where ferry transportation is efficient, accessible, and above all unfailingly safe and sustainable.”
The two-day conference continues with technical sessions aimed at shaping policy frameworks and strengthening collaboration across Africa’s inland and coastal waterways.
Also speaking at the conference, Honorable Commissioner of Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi calls for regional collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility to enhance maritime safety across West and Central Africa.
Welcoming participants to what he called the “state of aquatic splendor,” Osiyemi highlighted Lagos’s strategic reforms and investments that have elevated water transportation from a supporting role to a central pillar of the urban transit system.
“With the rapid population growth in coastal cities across Africa, ferry services have become not just an option but a necessity,” he said.
Under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and through initiatives by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the state has prioritized safety as the foundation of its water transport policies.
This includes the development of modern terminals and jetties, digital monitoring systems, distribution of life jackets, and strict operational guidelines.
“Maritime safety is not a destination but a continuous journey, one that demands collaboration, innovation, and vigilance,” Osiyemi emphasized.
He urged attendees, including government agencies, private operators, international partners, and technical experts to act with unity and urgency to raise safety standards across the region.
The commissioner stressed that ferry incidents in one country can affect public confidence across the entire sub-region.
“Our ambition must be to ensure that every passenger, whether in Lagos, Lomé, Accra, or Dakar, boards a ferry with confidence, secure in the knowledge that robust systems and a safety-first culture underlie their journey,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to co-hosts and international partners, the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and INTERFERRY—for their commitment to a unified safety strategy and applauded LASWA’s pivotal role in organizing the conference.
“As we engage in meaningful discussions over the next two days, let us convert dialogue into action, action into frameworks, and frameworks into lasting change,” Osiyemi concluded. “Together, let us sail forward not just with speed, but with safety and purpose.”
The conference continues with sessions aimed at harmonizing regional standards, sharing best practices, and deploying advanced technologies to make ferry travel safer and more reliable across Africa.
Also, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Oluwaseun Emmanuel, described the event as a pivotal moment in the continent’s journey toward maritime excellence. With the theme “Charting Safer Waters: Advancing Ferry Safety Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Integrated Transport Solutions,” the conference brings together policymakers, ferry operators, regulators, international partners, and community advocates for two days of high-level engagement.
“This gathering is more than a conference, it’s a mission,” Mr. Emmanuel declared.
“We are here to harmonize regional policies, elevate technical standards, and unlock the full potential of ferry transport as a key driver of urban mobility, job creation, and sustainable development.”
He praised Lagos for being more than just a host, but a living example of what can be achieved when government, private operators, and communities work in tandem. Under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos has emerged as a model for safe, scalable, and sustainable ferry operations in Africa.
Mr. Emmanuel extended his gratitude to the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Transportation, MOWCA, INTERFERRY, and all delegates for their commitment to shaping a future in which ferry transport is not only safe and efficient, but also a cornerstone of regional economic growth.
“As we embark on this journey together, let today’s conference be a testament to our collective aspirations and our ability to turn them into reality,” he said. “We are not just dreaming of a better ferry landscape, we are building it.”
The conference continues with interactive sessions aimed at transforming Africa’s waterways into secure, sustainable arteries of progress.
The Secretary General of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu emphasized the urgency of addressing ferry safety in a region where millions rely daily on water transport.
“We are gathered here not just as professionals, but as a global community united by a shared commitment to ensure that ferry transport in our sub-region is not only efficient and accessible, but above all, safe,” he said.
Dr. Adalikwu highlighted key efforts already underway, referencing the 2024 regional workshop on inland waterway safety held in Libreville, Gabon, which resulted in the Libreville Action Plan. That document will form a central part of this week’s conference discussions.
He also noted MOWCA’s participation in the 48th Interferry Conference in Morocco last October, which laid the groundwork for this regional safety-focused event.
The decision to host the conference in Lagos was, he said, based on the state’s advanced multimodal transport system and active investment in waterway safety through the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
“I thank the Lagos State Government and LASWA for taking on this opportunity at short notice and without prior budgetary provision. Lagos serves as an excellent model for ferry system integration and safety innovation in the subregion,” Dr. Adalikwu said.
The conference aims to foster knowledge exchange and align regional efforts with global best practices in ferry operations. Over the next two days, participants will engage with leading voices in maritime safety, engineering, and policy development.
Dr. Adalikwu closed his remarks by urging all attendees to collaborate actively: “The solutions to ferry safety challenges will come not from a single voice, but from the collective wisdom and experiences of us all.”
The Regional Ferry Safety Conference is seen as a pivotal moment for maritime safety advancement in West and Central Africa, with outcomes expected to influence regional policy, regulatory frameworks, and operational standards going forward.