The Lagos State Waterways Authority has praised passengers aboard two boats which collided on Friday for wearing life jackets.

According to LASWA’s Managing Director, Mr Damilola Emmanuel, the fact that those involved in the incident were wearing life jackets prevented the loss of lives.

A boat fully loaded with 22 persons aboard and another with just the captain and deckhand had collided and capsized in the Ojo area of Lagos around 7:45pm.

One boat was heading to Ojo from Liverpool, while the other was making a return trip from the same location.

But no life was lost as a patrol team at the Ojo Terminal was able to move swiftly to rescue the passengers.

“All passengers on both boats were all putting on their life jackets. This is what we have been encouraging,” the LASWA MD said.

“Our agency has been on the forefront of leading the campaign that for no reason should anyone embark on a journey on water without putting on a life jacket. We have also gone a step further to distribute life jackets to encourage boat operators to enforce it.”

The LASWA boss added that as part of efforts to protect passengers on the waterways, the authority distributed 1,500 life jackets in 2017 and January 2018.

He promised that more lifejackets will be distributed this year and appealed to passengers to insist on lifejackets before embarking on any journey on the water.

Meanwhile, the boats involved in the collision are now in the custody of LASWA pending when the investigation into the incident is concluded. (Channels TV)

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