LASWA, NIMASA, others set to train, certify  boat crews in Lagos 

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has said that there is a constituted technical working group working on training and certification for all boat crews on the Lagos Inland Waterways

The technical working group comprises of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), National Inland Waterways Authority  (NIWA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The state agency also guaranteed seafarers that it is working to address the backlog of uncertified crews onboard boats.

Damilola Emmanuel, the General Manager, NIWA stated this at a Delegate Conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

Emmanuel, who was represented at the occasion by Ukeme Sunday, commended the collaboration from the executives of the Seamen, NIWA and Water Transport Branch of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

He said, “Currently, there is a technical working group comprising NIMASA, LASWA, NIWA and NPA working on training and certification for all boat crews on Lagos Inland Waterways

“I can guarantee you that very soon, in no distant time, the backlog of uncertified crew onboard boats will be truly addressed in the positive manner.

“On the training, I also want to thank the zonal and unit chairmen for collaborating with LASWA to train both captains and others and I can say that the result of the training is very visible because there is rapid decrease in the rate of boat mishap along the waterways.

“I also want to assure us that the collaboration would not cease both in training, in standard operating procedures for jetties and operations and at the end of the day, I know at the end of the day, the level of mishap on Lagos waterways would be reduced to minimum or no more.

“At this point, I want to appeal that let’s continue working together even though there may be challenges but our togetherness and collaboration, the challenges would certainly be overcome,” stated.