ASSESSMENT OF CAUSAL AND SPATIAL FACTORS OF BOAT MISHAPS IN LAGOS INLAND WATERWAYS

Abstract

Transport in its support for human communities links continents with continents, countries with countries and localities with localities. Balanced and sustainable economic development in Lagos state is becoming pronounced as users are now giving testimonies of the advantages derived from water transport services. This can be seen as an achievement, its safety is central means to greater achievement and its sustainability. Despite all these advantages, it has social costs in form of accident that resulted to loss of lives and properties. This study examined causal and spatial factors of boat mishaps in inland waterways of Lagos inland waterways with a particular reference to Lagos Metropolitan area. The objectives of the study include estimating the trend of boat mishaps in spatial terms and fatalities in Lagos Metropolitan Area between 2000 and 2015; ascertaining the effect of location and time of fatalities as well as evaluating the association between fatalities and major proximate and remote causative factors of boat mishaps. Seasonality pattern of boat mishaps in the study area was identified. Chapter three involves administration of questionnaire to boat users and collection and collation of boat accident history. The spatial pattern of boat mishap incidences was examined to underscore the magnitude of the spatial distribution of boat mishaps in the area under consideration. The study was undertaken using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping integration systems to ascertain the spatial pattern of the occurrence and distribution of incidences of boat mishaps through satellite imagery. Chapter Four revealed that between 2000 and 2015, seventy-seven (73) boat accidents occurred. Study shows that bad and dangerous waterways contributed to highest number of dead casualties of boat accidents in the study area. Boat accidents tend increase due to frequent stormy weather and water turbulences in the months of September and October. The highest number of accident recorded at twilight was attributed to poor visibility. Study revealed that accident/incident spots are more concentrated around Ikorodu and Apapa axis than Badagry. Accidents Curve revealed that highest figure of casualties was recorded in 2014 with14 fourteen boat accidents resulting in high fatality rate of 100 casualties; followed by year 2015. The study recommends that authorities in charge of inland water transport safety management and control as a matter of urgency should pay full attention to safety of lives and property on Inland waterways and provide safety apparatus to cater for boat accident victims.