Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday inaugurated 15 new ferries to boost water transportation in the state and to mark his fifth year in office.
Sanwo-Olu, who launched the boats at the Badore Jetty in Ajah, described the ferries as ‘another demonstration of government’s commitment to transportation and traffic management, which is the first pillar of its THEMES + Agenda, and which is aimed at deepening intermodal transportation and boosting the economy.
The 40-seater-boats, called Omibus, are products of the partnership between the state government, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), and Caverton Marine, a subsidiary of Caverton Aviation. They were locally-produced, except for the outboard engines. The boats join the earlier 22, making a total of 37.
Sanwo-Olu said: “This anniversary couldn’t have been better celebrated as it symbolises our commitment to a comprehensive integrated urban mass transportation. Today is the turn of marine/water transportation, and we are handing over 15 of the 25 ferries which Caverton Marine was commissioned to build, to operators. The remaining 10 would be injected in the second phase.”
The governor added that a safe, reliable and secured water transportation would help decongest the road, improve productivity as it would drastically cut down travel time (the boat ride takes between 25 to 30 minutes from Falomo to Badore, and 15 minutes from Badore to Ibeshe, in Ikorodu, a distance of not less than one or two hours by road.
The governor urged strict compliance with water transport regulations, as it remains the only way to keep the waterways safe and incident free.
Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi praised the governor for prioritising the development of inland waterways. “Under your leadership, Lagos has witnessed remarkable transformation, and the launch of the Omibus ferries is another testament to your unwavering commitment to driving sustainable development and enhancing the welfare of citizens,” he said.
LASWA’s General Manager Emmanuel Damilola described the unveiling of the Nigerian-made modern ferries as a testament to the government’s dedication to developing water transport.
Damilola said the Omibus ferries are not just about adding more vessels, but about enhancing ‘our capacity to serve the growing number of commuters who rely on water transport daily’.
He added: “The ferries are equipped with revolutionary technology to ensure commuters’ safety, comfort, and convenience. They represent our commitment to sustainability, resilience and innovation, featuring co-friendly designs that minimize environmental impact.
