…Passengers Advise on Safety Measures
Following the Saturday night boat mishap, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has reiterated the need for passengers and boat operators to desist from night travelling and ensure all safety measures including proper use of life jacket are strictly adhered to prevent unnecessary loss of life on our water ways.
Speaking on the unfortunate boat mishap that occurred in Egbin, Ijede Local Council Development Area, Ikorodu, at about 9:30pm on Saturday 29th June, 2019, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lagos State Emergency ManagementAgncy ( LASEMA) Dr. Oluwafem Oke-Osanyintolu explained the boat was said to be enroute Egbin Ijede (Ikorodu) from Badore, Aja area with about with about 21 passengers onboard, when it suddenly developed mechanical problem, trowing all the passengers on board into the water, three persons were rescued immediately, while eight lifeless bodied including seven male and one female have been recovered.
The LASEMA boss said that search and rescue is still on going on the other missing persons yet to be found by officials of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and Marine Police with support from the local divers, while community leaders as well as local fishermen in the area have been informed to avail the Agency of any information through the emergency toll free line 112/767 to enhance total recovery of the exercise. He further advised anyone with any case of missing person to report to the Marine Police or any nearest police station around the scene of the incident.
Dr. Osanyintolu noted that despite the huge investment of the State Government to encourage water transportation and the need for Lagosians to explore water transportation as an alternative means of transportation due to congestion on our roads, it is important for all passengers and boat operators to imbibe safety culture, and also comply with the rules and regulations of the regulatory bodies in charge of water transportation and safety in the State, while noting that proper investigation is on ongoing by the security operatives to ascertain the real cause of the incident.
Other responders on ground includes; Lagos State Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Neighborhood and Safety Corps.
