LASWA, MOWCA, Interferry Partner to Boost Safety on Lagos Waterways

 




In a renewed push to enhance safety on the Lagos inland waterways, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has partnered with the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and Interferry Association, a leading international ferry safety body.

The collaborative effort was unveiled on Monday during a facility tour of Lagos waterways assets, where the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, hosted a delegation from MOWCA and Interferry as well as members of the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN).

Addressing the delegation, Mr. Emmanuel highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that it would enable Lagos to leverage global best practices in ferry safety.

“Ferry safety is very important to inland waterways operations. When MOWCA approached Lagos State to host a ferry safety conference, the Lagos State Government gladly accepted, knowing the potential to further improve safety standards,” Emmanuel said.

He emphasised that Interferry’s involvement marked the organisation’s first foray into West Africa, describing it as a critical step in advancing water transport safety in the region.

“Interferry promotes ferry safety globally — from Europe to America, Asia, and now Africa. Their expertise will help us enhance safety practices on our waterways,” he added.

The LASWA boss outlined key safety initiatives already in place, including mandatory life jacket use, bi-annual boat inspections, and the deployment of technology to monitor jetties and maintain real-time communication with boat operators.

“We have introduced technology to make operations smarter. Our Control Room provides vital data that helps us make informed decisions and identify areas where we need to intensify safety measures,” Emmanuel stated.

On future plans, Emmanuel revealed that under the state’s Omi-Eko project, electric ferries will be introduced in the coming years alongside existing petrol-powered boats.

“The project will revolutionise water transportation with electric ferries, upgraded jetties, dredging of waterways, and capacity building for LASWA staff. We are also encouraging informal operators to form cooperatives to benefit from government support,” he said.

Echoing these sentiments, Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan disclosed that his team of 12 safety experts would work closely with LASWA to improve operational standards across various aspects of water transport safety.

“Our experts bring global knowledge in navigation, vessel operations, life-saving procedures, and overall safety management. We’re here to support LASWA in enhancing its safety systems,” Corrigan said.

The initiative comes amid growing use of water transport in Lagos, with authorities pledging continued investment in safety and infrastructure to support the sector’s growth.

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