“For now, there is about 45 per cent patronage. We are still hoping that our regular passengers will come back.”
Private ferry operators at the Majidun Jetty in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have resumed operations five days after a boat mishap which left at least nine people dead.
The operators had on April 2 suspended their services following the mishap.
Divers had removed the wreckage of the boat belonging to Bell Marines Company which capsized on the Lagos Lagoon.
A correspondent, who visited the jetty on Wednesday, reports that about 30 boats were securely anchored in the last five days with 18 resuming operations.
Several vehicles belonging to passengers, who had boarded the boats to Victoria Island and other destinations, were also seen at the various car parks at Majidun.
The News Agency of Nigeria, however, gathered from the operators that patronage had also dropped considerably following the mishap.
“For now, there is about 45 per cent patronage. We are still hoping that our regular passengers will come back.
“For example, before now, we used to ferry about 300 passengers daily, but now it has reduced to between 80 and 90 passengers,” Blessing Ikediashi, Operations Manager, Donimo Logistics, said.
Mr. Ikediashi said the company had put the necessary measures in place to guarantee passengers’ safety.
She added: “Experience, they say, is the best teacher. We have told our boat captains to reduce their speed in order to avert accident; we have told them to slow down.
“We are going to intensify regular drilling for our captains. In fact, all our captains are skilled in repairing boat propellers if and when they breakdown.”
She advised passengers to always wear the life jackets given them by boat operators, adding some passengers were in the habit of not using the life jackets.
“Some will wear it at the jetty only to remove it mid-sea, complaining of heat.’’
Also at Metro Ferry in Ikorodu, safety instructions for passengers were on display on the notice boards.
It read in part: “Please ensure that your life jackets are fastened. In case of emergency or mishap such as accidents or any form of attack, please remain calm and listen to follow-up instructions from the captains.
“In case of boat collision leading to loss of control by the captain and eventual capsize, do not panic, open your eyes and be at alert.
“Locate the closest exit from your sitting position. There are exits at the back and front of the boat. Where you are not close enough, make use of the windows by sliding the glass apart.
“In the event of any of the cases mentioned above, you can call any of these numbers: 08093940112, 08093940289, and 08093940110.”
Sakari Dekina, the Operations Manager, Metro Ferry, also advised passengers to be more vigilant while boarding a boat.
“Ensure you know the capacity of the boat before boarding, and ask about the boat’s engine capacity.
“For instance, a 200-horsepower engine is an ideal engine for a 20-passenger boat.
“If you notice any water in the boat, ask questions because it can be a leakage. If it is a leakage, then the boat is not good to go on that trip,” he said.
(NAN)
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