The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), alongside the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Lagos State Safety Commission conducted safety inspection of strategic jetties and terminal five days ahead of the Third Mainland Bridge closure billed for Friday July 24.
This is coming on the heels of a series of meetings between LASEMA and other safety agencies, where the DG/CEO LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, declared LASEMA’s state of readiness alongside its first responders placed on alert with appropriate equipment for the upcoming period.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the collaboration between LASEMA and other safety agencies of the state involved in the Inspection of jetties was necessary to ensure implementation of safety protocols ahead of this week’s partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge from Friday July 24 to January 24 next year.
This action, he revealed, was in line with other strategies mapped out by LASEMA for deployment of its highly trained and efficient staff which will be backed by the maximal application of its equipment and supported with appropriate technology to ensure all-round safety of Lagosians on land and water during the period of partial closure of the bridge.
During the joint inspection in which the team visited the CMS terminal, Ebute-Ero Marina, both on Lagos Island and Bariga Waterfront Jetty in Ilaje area of Bariga, the DG averred that the joint inspection was aimed at ensuring that all the operators abide by the stipulated safety regulations for safety of all.
Oke-Osanyitolu, who said roads leading to the jetties have been repaired while reeling out government’s stringent measures, reiterated that night journeys would not be permitted.
He further advised residents to cooperate with government to ensure smooth operations and at the same time reduce the anticipated stress the partial closure of the would cause commuters.
“We are going to deploy safety marshals and water guards to ensure that operators keep to the rules and regulations and also enforce the use of life jackets and ensure that they do not use our waterways after 7pm,” Oke-Osanyintolu warns.
The LASEMA boss stated that boat operators would maintain stipulated capacity, ensure they have the mandatory life bouys as part of regulations, enforce the use of life sachets, and ensure that they do not use the waterways after the stipulated time.
He also revealed that the agency would position its ambulances and rescue boats at strategic locations in conjunction with the LASWA and maintain a 24-hour watch by its marine unit, especially between the peak periods of 6:30am and 7:00pm daily. “A lot more passengers travel the alternative routes and waterways during the partial closure of the bridge”.
