By Peter Omopo
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has reiterated its ban on night-time travel on inland waterways, urging residents and boat operators to comply strictly with safety regulations ahead of a concert by Fuji musician Alhaji Sule Alao Malaika scheduled to hold on Sunday at Ilashe Beach.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the General Manager of LASWA, Damilola Emmanuel, cautioned fun-seekers planning to attend the event to make adequate travel arrangements and avoid night journeys on the waterways.
She stressed that night-time movement on Lagos inland waterways remains strictly prohibited for all categories of watercraft, including both commercial and private boats, noting that daylight operations remain the safest means of navigation.
According to Emmanuel, the restriction is necessary due to the heightened risks associated with night travel, such as poor visibility and navigational hazards. She explained that the measure is aimed at safeguarding lives and property across the state’s waterways.
LASWA also advised residents to arrive at the venue early and avoid last-minute travel, warning that delays often increase the temptation to engage in unsafe night-time boat trips.
The authority further reminded boat operators to adhere strictly to approved operating hours, observe all safety protocols and ensure that passengers wear life jackets at all times.
To ensure compliance, LASWA said it is working in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority and other security and safety agencies to intensify patrols across Lagos waterways in the coming days.
Emmanuel warned that violators of the night travel ban would face legal consequences, reiterating the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on safety breaches.
Reaffirming LASWA’s commitment to safe and efficient water transportation, she described safety on the waterways as a shared responsibility, urging the public to comply with all regulations to protect lives and property.
