The Lagos State Government has suspended passenger ferry services to Ipakodo Terminal in Ikorodu over the prevalence of water hyacinth in the area.

In a statement on Friday evening, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said one of the passenger boats of LAGFERRY fully loaded with passengers got stuck on the water by water hyacinth for hours.

According to the first statement issued by LASWA on Friday at exactly 6:25pm, “Emergency alert, our boat – MF Babatunde Fashola is currently trapped inside water hyacinth at Ibeshe with passengers on board. “Rescue ongoing. Further information will be provided soon. Thanks for your cooperation.”

“We hereby notify all our esteemed passengers that the operation of LAGFERRY from Ipakodo Terminal, Ikorodu has been temporarily suspended till further notice.

“We will communicate further development as at when due. We are very grateful for your understanding and cooperation,” LASWA stated on its social media handles,: he said.

In a related development, many passengers were rescued alive after a passenger boat named Oyebola Marine caught fire at the loading point in Ikorodu ferry terminal early morning of Thursday in Lagos.

In a statement signed by the management of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the fire broke out due to an electrical spark from the boat ignition when the boat Captain and Deckhand were infusing fuel into the boat engine.

According to the LASWA statement, “At about 8.46 am today, 9th of November 2023, a commercial passenger boat named Oyebola Marine caught fire at the loading point in Ikorodu ferry terminal.

“The fire incident occurred due to an electrical spark from the boat ignition when the boat Captain and Deckhand were infusing fuel into the boat engine.

“All passengers onboard this boat were rescued alive with the combined efforts of Ikorodu Ferry Terminal Staff, LASWA officials, and several boat operators present at the scene.

“The rescue team was able to put off this inferno using the terminal hall fire extinguishers.

“The affected passengers were attended to by medical personnel at the jetty. Few of the affected passengers were able to continue their journey while several others had to return home.

“Some of the affected passengers are currently assisting LASWA with further information on this unfortunate incident.

“LASWA has also identified some gaps and areas of improvement from all stakeholders including itself to enable such occurrences to be reduced to its barest minimum.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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