By Victoria Hanson Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola to appear before it next Tuesday so as to give clarifications on the persistent incidence of boat mishaps across the State.
Also summoned to appear is the the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Agency.
The Speaker gave the ruling after the submissions of Honourable Members in response to a motion moved by Hon Fatai Mojeed, representing Ibeju Lekki Constituency I, who is also the Chairman House Committee on Transportation.
Hon. Mojeed had during Matter of Urgent Public Importance refered members to re-occuring boat mishaps across the State,leading to loss of innocent lives.
According to him, the incident is becoming too much, hence it needs drastic step and action to nip it in the bud.
He regretted a situation where in the last month the State recorded 3 incidents happening in Ijede, Ikorodu and Badagry areas of the State and therefore urged his colleagues to join him in calling on the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to call on relevant agencies of government, particularly LASWA to ensure strict compliance with extant rules and guidelines guiding the operation of water transportation and business in the State.
In his submission, Hon. Rotimi Olowo of Somolu Constituency II, condemned deaths on our waterways. He suggested the need to bring in experienced operators, especially foreign investors who can provide modern boats, away from the conventional ones that could not stand the tidal waves on the high sea. “The security of lives of Lagosians is paramount and should be secure”. He said
While contributing, Hon. Omotayo Oduntan gave an insight into her experience when the House mandated her and others to visit the families of those involved in boat mishap at Irese. She said her observation revealed that most of the local operators overloaded their boats with passengers, while the boats are in a very bad shape. This according to her might be a contributing factor to boat mishaps in the State and therefore enjoined the State Government to invest and invite foreign investors while LASWA should provide life jacket for school children.
Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi opined that LASWA needs to be empowered to monitor the waterways. He said most of the operators are not licensed, and this need to be checked, while defaulters should be punished to serve as deterrent to others.
Hon. Sikiru Osinowo observed that the problem is not that of life jacket, but LASWA should liaise with National Waterways Agency (NAWA) to dredge the waterways and create transportation channel for the boat. Hon. Rotimi Abiru, the Chief Whip also adopted the submission, but want compensation and insurance to be considered for victims.
In the opinion of Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the laws establishing LASWA should be looked into with a view of raising the penal regime and provisions.
Condemning the reoccurring, Hon. Rasheed Makinde, who urges government to encourage investors, while Hon. AdefunmilayoTejuoso observed that Lagos have a duty of care . They all agreed that LASWA management should be invited to state their challenges.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in his ruling said “we need to protect our people, we need to evaluate existing laws”. ‘It is our responsibility as stated in the constitution to provide security for the people therefore , we need to look into issues leading to the reoccurring mishaps. Hence he subsequently rule that Commissioner and Special Adviser as well as on Transportation as the General Manager of LASWA should be invited to appear before the House next week Tuesday .
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