Onisiwo Island, Lagos State

– The Sustainable Waterways Awareness Advancement and Advocacy Organization (SWAAADO), supported by key industry stakeholders, today conducted a comprehensive waterways safety sensitization campaign at Bishop-Kodji and Whala-Kodji communities on Onisiwo Island, Lagos. The event brought together over 120 community members and representatives from key maritime regulatory agencies.

The event, tagged “Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign for Waterfront Communities and Waterways Users in Lagos State,” drew participation from the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), SWYRE Marine, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

The campaign is supported by key industry leaders committed to advancing waterways safety across Nigeria. Supporting organizations include Simtop Ventures International Limited, Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd, SWYRE Marine, Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited, and Nigeria Waterways Directory, demonstrating strong private sector commitment to maritime safety advocacy.

Chief Raymond Gold, Head of Corporate Communication and Strategy at SWAAADO, unveiled the organization’s ambitious plan to train 5,000 boat skippers across Nigeria’s eight coastal states and five inland states. Lagos State will account for 300 trainees, while the other seven coastal states will receive 200 trainees each, with the remaining slots distributed among the five inland states.

“This initiative was born out of the tragic boat mishaps that happened in the mid northern part of the country, where many lives were lost due to lack of waterways safety awareness,” Chief Gold explained during the event.

SWAAADO’s intervention follows extensive research into the root causes of recurrent boat accidents across Nigerian waterways. The organization has developed a multi-pronged approach that includes community awareness campaigns, professional training for boat operators, and the creation of a regulatory support platform.

Central to this strategy is the Nigeria Waterways Directory (www.nigeriawaterwaysdirectory.com), an online publication that is registered with the National Library (EISSN: 3122-0045). The platform is designed to list trained and certified boat operators while providing regulatory authorities with the capability to blacklist non-compliant operators.

Engr. Sola Fumilugba delivered a lecture on waterways safety codes and enforcement, emphasizing the critical need for boat operators to obtain proper licensing. His presentation highlighted regulatory requirements that many operators currently overlook.

Mr. Shittu Oladimeji, representing LASWA, outlined the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure waterways safety and urged all waterways users to maintain constant safety consciousness.

Mrs. Ada Okpanige Agbo of SWYRE Marine, a NIMASA-accredited training institution (ATI) and key partner of the initiative, stressed on the importance of professional training, certification and licensing for boat skippers, explaining the standards required for proper licensing.

Comrade Owolabi Omotayo, newly elected Chairman of Lagos Commercial Private Boat District of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria-MWUN, provided candid advice to boat workers on safety compliance and licensing requirements before operating vessels.

Comrade Osaweren O. Larry, representing the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), reinforced the message of safety code compliance while clarifying the distinct roles of the Maritime Workers Union and various boat owners associations.

The sensitization campaign concluded with concrete results: five waterways safety volunteers were identified for interviews and subsequent training, life jackets were distributed to attendees, and campaign materials were shared among all participants.

The event represents a significant step in SWAAADO’s broader mission to reduce waterways accidents through education, training, and improved regulatory compliance across Nigerian waterways, bolstered by the commitment of its industry partners.

For more information about SWAAADO’s initiatives, visit www.swaaado.org

For information on how to list your business or skill on the Nigeria Waterways Directory visit www.nigeriawaterwaysdirectory.com

Supporting Partners: Simtop International Limited | Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd | SWYRE Marine | Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited | Nigeria Waterways Directory