STAKEHOLDERS in the Nigerian brown-waters sub-sector has raised concern over the maintenance culture at the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) following the near-sinking incident involving the MF Babatunde Fashola while conveying 30 passengers along Ikorodu waters recently.
Speaking on the matter, the Board Chairman of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Mr Frank Meke explained that in 2023 alone, LAGFERRY or LASWA boats has had about seven near-mishaps on the Lagos inland waterways.
According to the ATBOWATON Board Chairman, “This year alone, boats operated by LAGFERRY or LASWA has had about seven near mishaps.
It’s either the boats, fully with passengers stop mid-stream due to engine failure or run into shallow waters.
“The recent one that happened in Ikorodu is just one of many near mishaps that Lagos State owned boats have got into.
“The manner of employment of boat skippers and deck-hands in Lagos state owned ferry operations is done on man-know-man basis, not on competence; and that’s why the Lagos state-owned boats are being run aground.
“I am not saying they are deliberately running the boats aground, but the people that are employed don’t understand the waterways eco-sys-tem. They lack the necessary training to man those boats.
“Look at what happened in Ikorodu. The boat, MF Ba-batunde Fashola was driven straight into an area covered with water hyacinth. Who does that? If it is the boat owner that is driving his boat, will he run into water hyacinth? Because the boat belongs to the State govern-ment, these guys just do whatever they like with the boats.
“Imagine carrying 30 passengers and heading straight into water hyacinth? A private operator who funds his business won’t do such. The boat was already sinking with 30 passengers onboard.
What if help wasn’t nearby?
“Lagos State government has to employ people who understand the waterways eco-system. The maintenance culture at state owned ferry services needs to be reviewed. People shouldn’t be employed because he is the cousin or brother of one Commissioner or Special Adviser in Alausa. Those boats were bought with tax payers money and should be manned by competent persons.”
Also speaking, a private boat operator who wouldn’t want his name in print explained that if the boat that was taking in water at Ikorodu had been owned by a private individual, LASWA would have let hell loose on such person.
“The incident of Ikorodu is just one of many that has been happening with Lagos State owned boats. If the MF BabatundeFashola was owned by a private businessman, there would have been a press briefing on the matter. The owner’s business would have been closed down.
“But MF Babatunde Fashola belongs to LAGFERRY, so we won’t see any media briefing. No assets or business will be closed down.
“That’s what happens on the Lagos State waterways anytime LAGFERRY or LASWA boats get involved,” the boat operator who spoke on condition of anonymity explained to the Nigerian Tribune.
Recall that the Lagos State government in 2020 formally kicked off commercial waterways’ transportation, with the launch of eight newly acquired speed boats operated by LAGFERRY.
