LASG explains boat collision incident in Ibeshie

The Lagos State Government at the weekend
confirmed the boat collision incident reported at
Ibeshe in Ikorodu axis of the state on Thursday
January 21, 2016, just as it restated its
commitment to continue to improve on safety on
the State waterways.
In a statement signed by the Managing Director
of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA),
Mrs. Abisola Kamson said the incident which
occurred at about 8:05am was as a result of the
early morning fog which led to poor visibility for
the captains of the two boats.
She said the Authority was able to ascertain what
led to the incident from its information gathering
machinery and onsite water guards.
According to her, one of the boats (MV Cherio)
which had 20 passengers on board was operating
at high speed and by the time it noticed the
second boat (Olaoluwa) which had no passengers
on board, it was too late to avoid a collision.
She said the impact of the collision claimed the
life of a passenger on board and left three other
persons injured.
According to her, the three injured persons were
immediately rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital
and have since been transferred to LUTH for
further treatment.
The LASWA boss said the enforcement of
lifejackets on waterways reduced the number of
casualties as all passengers on board were
wearing their life jackets.
She said immediately the incident was reported,
LASWA deployed its water guards to monitor and
oversight the situation adding that the Marine
Police have also been notified and are currently
carrying out an investigation.
She also restated the commitment of the State
Government to enforce speed limits on the
waterways by operators as well as aggressive
campaign and enforcement of guidelines for
commercial boat operators to stem boat
accidents in the future.



SIGNED
ABISOLA KAMSON
MANAGING DIRECTOR
LAGOS STATE WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
JANUARY 23, 2016