As travel activities surge along Lagos’ water transport routes this December, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have launched a strengthened joint safety and security campaign to ensure safer passenger movement throughout the festive season.
The collaborative initiative, announced on Tuesday in Lagos, aims to reinforce operational safety, enhance enforcement capacity, and deepen cooperation among regulators, vessel operators, security agencies, and waterfront communities.
Speaking on the renewed partnership, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Blue Economy said the joint campaign reflects the state’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and improving the quality of water transportation during the high-demand period.
“Safety on our waterways is not negotiable. This collaboration with NIWA amplifies our enforcement capacity and improves coordination with security agencies, vessel operators, and local communities to ensure a secure and joyful festive season for all waterway users,”he said.
Under the joint LASWA–NIWA festive safety strategy, both agencies will deploy enhanced patrols along major waterways, supported by the Marine Police and community safety volunteers. The patrols will intensify during peak hours and nighttime operations.
The initiative also features a unified vessel safety compliance regime, including joint inspections, spot checks on commercial passenger vessels, and stricter enforcement of operational licenses and safety equipment requirements.
In addition, both agencies will provide real-time weather and water condition updates, issuing timely advisories or route adjustments when necessary to prevent accidents.
A zero-alcohol boarding policy will also be enforced, with both passengers and crew members showing signs of intoxication barred from boarding.
LASWA and NIWA urged passengers to wear life jackets properly, comply with safety instructions, avoid overloaded vessels, and supervise children while travelling.
Operators, on the other hand, must maintain valid licenses, provide accurate passenger manifests, display emergency contacts clearly, enforce capacity limits, and ensure their vessels carry functioning safety equipment.
Commuters and operators are advised to report emergencies to the nearest LASWA or NIWA official or use hotline numbers posted at terminals and jetties.
The NIWA Lagos Area Manager emphasized that safety remains a shared responsibility: “This season is a time for celebration, and we can only achieve safe and enjoyable travels when everyone, regulators, operators, and passengers plays their part. Together, we will ensure safe navigation and full compliance on all waterways.”
The joint campaign will run throughout the festive period, with continuous monitoring to ensure seamless and secure water transportation across Lagos.