Elegushi Drowning: LASG Warns Beach Operators Against Flouting Safety Regulations

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday warned beach operators in the state to adhere strictly to the safety regulations guiding their operations.

The state’s Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Ade Akinsanya, in a statement, warned that defaulters would be appropriately sanctioned.

Akinsanya’s warning came against the backdrop of an incident at the Elegushi Beach, where two postgraduate students of University of Lagos lost their lives.

He said that operators of beaches and other public areas earmarked for leisure must give priority attention to safety measures that would prevent avoidable mishaps.

The commissioner said that the government had the responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of all residents and was concerned about avoidable and needless deaths.

“There is no doubt that the operators of the beach in question failed to adhere to the standard safety practice. The state government through its safety commission sets safety standards for all sectors involved in socio-economic activities in the state,” he said.

Akinsanya, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, said that beach operators must henceforth ensure that lifeguards, first aid medical facilities with qualified hands and wave-warning signal equipment were provided at their various locations.

“Henceforth, the state government shall not hesitate to take appropriate action against operators of beaches and other public places who fail to comply with the state’s safety regulations,” he said.