*MOURNING: Boat operators at Majidun Jetty, Ikorodu, suspended ferry services in honour of the victims of Wednesday’s boat mishap that claimed seven lives. INSET: Stranded passengers redirected to the Metro Jetty, Ikorodu, yesterday. NAN PHOTOS.
By Ebun Sessou
Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has said that henceforth both Commissioner for Transportation, Dayo Mobereola and Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Abisola Kamson, will be held responsible for further boat accidents in the state.
Obasa disclosed this during plenary yesterday after members had taken comments from the state Commissioner for Transportation and Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA.
The House last Monday summoned the duo over incessant boat accidents that have claimed several lives in the state.
Obasa who expressed displeasure over the responses of the officers, stated that it is unfortunate that the LASWA’s office was created without a board which in turn has hindered the effective running of the organisation.
“As we speak, you have no regulation. You have not been able to do the necessary regulation to monitor the activities of the operators and you have been operating without board.
“How many times have you taken time to be on the waterways? What is your staff strength? What is the local government doing about this? It shows, you are not in existence,” Obasa roared.
The drama took Abisola Kamson unaware as she was fidgeting and speechless.
The Speaker however said that stakeholders meeting with all the relevant agencies, would be called to address the issue holistically.
Kamson however explained that some of the causes of the tragedies recorded on the waterways were as a result of over speeding, vessels not fitted with the required technology like speedometer and running into fallen logs along the waterways among others.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mobereola on his part said since the incident occurred there had been stakeholders meeting where LASWA, NIWA, Marine police and Lagos State Safety Corps were in attendance.
He assured the state government will do everything humanly possible to avert future occurrence.
An 11-man adhoc committtee to be headed by majority leader, Sanai Agunbiade to come up with a recommendation on how to enhance safety on waterways within two weeks.
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