Lagos State Govt Sensitizes Lagosians On Water Transportation

The Lagos State Government, in its effort to enlighten and sensitise residents to embrace water transportation as a means of decongesting the roads and a cheaper alternative, held a stakeholders meeting with community leaders and residents of Shomolu Bariga on Tuesday at the ‘Love Lagos’ Jetty, Bariga/Ilaje Waterfront.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Oshiyemi, represented by Mrs. Fadekemi Emmanuel, assured the residents of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s love and support for the integration of different modes of transportation which include road, rail and waterways for ease and convenience of Lagosians.

While emphasising that water transportation remained the fastest, safest, comfortable and eco-friendly mode of transport, Oshiyemi noted that over 24 routes have been created within Lagos Waterways with the government consistently rehabilitating existing jetties and constructing modern new ones to open up new areas to the waterways.

The Managing Director, Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, in his remarks, appealed to the community to take charge of the Love Lagos Jetty in Bariga to ensure a smooth and easy mode of transportation as the imminent closure of third mainland bridge repairs draws near.

He said, “As the federal government is paying priority to rehabilitate the Third-Mainland Bridge, it will be expedient at this moment for the people to make use of the waterways, especially when commuting to Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Badagry. LAGFERRY boats are readily available at the Love Jetty here in Ilaje-Bariga with adequate car park facilities. They are safe, comfortable, timely and efficient”.

“In every area of the operations of LAGFERRY with our fleet of 20 boats, first by any sub-national, safety is paramount. Compulsory wearing of life jackets, and regular maintenance of our boats. Safety is the first factor we consider in everything we do. Part of the safety measures also includes a personal accident insurance package. For every passenger coming on board LAGFERRY boats, on every trip and every route we currently ply, all passengers are fully insured”, he stated.

The forum had in attendance traditional rulers, market leaders, political leaders, lawmakers, youth leaders, religious leaders, artisan groups, academia, transport unionists, civil societies, Student Union Government Leaders and members of CDCs and CDAs in Bariga LCDA and Shomolu LGA.