NIWA absent as LASWA rescues 17 passengers from sinking boat
By Seun Ibiyemi
…Investigation still ongoing — ATBOWATON
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), waterways safety task force, was absent at the recent boat mishap of GT water line 4 in Lagos despite its mandate to protect and safe guide waterways in the country.
On the heels of NIWA absences during a rescue mission, the President of the Association of Tourism Boats Operators and Water Transporters (ATBOWATON) said investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the incident.
A ferry passenger boat named GT Water Line 4 capsized in Lagos 20minutes after taking off from Ebute-Ero enroute Ikorodu terminal.
A statement released by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), said, “the boat was said to have left the Ebute-Ero at about 5.15p.m. with 17 passengers onboard 14 male and 3 female.
“LASWA Patrol team and some other Boat Operators were swift to respond to the distress call from the boat thereby able to rescue all 17 passengers onboard alive which included 2 minors, apparently all passengers were putting on their life jackets which was greatly responsible for safe rescue of all onboard.
“The boat and its captain have been taken to custody for further investigation to unravel the cause of the accident and necessary actions.
“To forestall recurrence of such incident LASWA has once again warned all boat operators to always adhere strictly to safety measures while advising all waterways users to ensure the use of life jackets at all time when boarding a boat.”
Reacting to the mishap, the President of ATBOWATON, Tarzan Balogun said, it was closer to the scene of the incident, adding, “not only LASWA was present at the scene, our members too were present to assist.
“So it the depends on which area the incident happened, but there’s a law of IMO on water that If any boat is in distress, the agency around is to assist them, I will not condemned any of the agency.
“I thank LASWA for what they have done, they are leaving up to expectations, this is what we want from them, not to only generate revenue for the government but to assist the boat operators.
“We are still investigating to the cause of the incident.
“We have also enlightened our members that safety of the passengers is very important, no passengers should enter the boat without life jacket, now that everyone is abiding by the the rules that why you see that all passengers onboard the boat were saved.”
