LASWA partners NSIB to boost waterways safety

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has concluded plans to work with the Lagos State Waterways Authority to explore areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening safety standards, incident investigation processes, and operational efficiency across Lagos waterways.

LASWA announced this in a statement on Tuesday obtained by The PidomNigeria.

According to the statement, the delegation from NSIB was received by the management of LASWA at the authority’s headquarters, where both organisations engaged in productive discussions on enhancing safety oversight, “fostering information sharing, promoting capacity building, and developing frameworks for improved accident prevention and response within the inland waterways sector.”

Speaking during the meeting, the General Manager of LASWA and Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Blue Economy, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, welcomed the NSIB delegation and emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in advancing the government’s commitment to safe, efficient, and sustainable water transportation.

“The waterways sector continues to play a critical role in the state’s transportation ecosystem, making it imperative for relevant stakeholders to work together in promoting safety, operational excellence, and public confidence,” he said.

Earlier, the NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh, who led the delegation, highlighted the bureau’s mandate of promoting transportation safety through independent investigations and safety recommendations.

Badeh noted that collaboration with LASWA would further “strengthen efforts to identify safety risks, prevent accidents, and improve overall safety culture on the waterways.”

Discussions during the visit focused on potential areas of partnership, including safety data exchange, joint safety awareness initiatives, training programmes, incident reporting mechanisms, emergency response coordination, and technical support in accident investigation and safety management systems.

Both organisations expressed their commitment to fostering a strong working relationship that will contribute to safer waterways operations and support the continued growth of water transportation in Lagos State. The visit concluded with a mutual agreement to sustain engagements and explore practical initiatives that will enhance safety outcomes for operators, passengers, and all waterways users.