The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has expressed it intentions to collaborating with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to develop efficiency in the state waterways.

Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the General Manager of LASWA, revealed this recently in Lagos.

Oluwadamilola stated that the state government will obey the Supreme court Judgement.

The federal Government has the sole responsibility to impose levies, and issue licences to operators in the industry as stated by the Supreme Court.

Oluwadamilola stressed that, “What the state government is doing is talking to the national body to see possible ways of collaboration. But in the meantime, it is not stopping our safety functions because we owe it to the lives of our citizens to continue to ensure that all the resources the state government has invested in LASWA will continue to provide safety for the people. But in terms of being able to function as a regulator, it is definitely to collaborate with the national body.”

He said that despite the apex court’s judgment, “LASWA would not stop its investment as regards safety and developing the waterways. Jetties are being built, and even the boat the state government has to give the sector, we are still on it.”

The LASWA boss, said the waterways sector is constantly developing.

“This is a sector that is constantly improving and being regulated and looking at what is missing and continue to work on it,” the LASWA boss stated.

He called on all stakeholders in the waterways to do the right things, to ensure the safety and efficiency of the sector.

“Rules are there and rules will be broken but this has to do with all stakeholders, whether regulators, operators and passengers, to always ensure that we are responsible for doing the right thing in the first thing.