Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, has cautioned ferry operators against breaking laid down safety guidelines on waterways, including avoidance of night travels after the boat mishap in Ikorodu on Friday night.
Oladeinde made this known when he visited the scene, according to a statement signed by Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, the Head of Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State.
The commissioner said that strict adherence to the rules and guidelines would prevent re-occurence of such an accident.
“If the rule of no night travelling on the waterways – from 6.00p.m. – had been strictly adhered to by operators, the accident could have been averted”.
“The avoidable boat mishap occurred after a 20-passenger capacity commercial ferry with 21 passengers on board took off illegally from Èbúté Ẹrọ Jetty at past 8.00p.m. heading toward Ikorodu”.
“The ferry ran into an unforeseen object on the waterways, causing the boat to capsize.
The commissioner, who commiserated with the families of the dead passengers, gave the assurance that the violators would be prosecuted.
The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while providing an update on the incident.
According to him, 16 of the passengers on board the ill-fated ferry have so far been rescued by the rescue team while search and rescue efforts are still ongoing.
“Rescue effort commenced this morning with the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, LASWA Search Party, Local Boat Operators, Marine Police and LASEMA (Lagos State Emergency Management Agency).
“So far sixteen (16) passengers have been rescued alive with one person in critical condition and five (5) fatalities recorded.
“The Lagos State Government through the commissioner for transportation, commiserates with the families of those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.
“Search and rescue effort is still on going, ’’ the LASWA boss said. (NAN)
