In its effort to enlighten and sensitize residents to embrace water transportation as a means of decongesting the roads and a cheaper alternative, the Lagos State Ferry Service (LAGFERRY) on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 held a stakeholder meeting with community leaders at the Love Lagos Jetty, Bariga /Ilaje Waterfront, Lagos.
The Managing Director of Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, appealed for the community to take charge of the Love Lagos Jetty constructed over four years ago to ensure a smooth and easy mode of transportation
Ladi-Balogun stated that the Agency chose to hold the sensitization meeting now in advance before the six-month closure of the Third-Mainland Bridge for repairs.
He said, “As the State 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”.
He noted that over 24 routes have been created within Lagos Waterways and also emphasized its fastest and safest means of transportation over the road.
“In every area of the operations of LAGFERRY with our 20 fleets, first by any sub-nation, 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 representative of the Commissioner for Transportation, Mrs. Fadekemi Emmanuel assured the residents of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s love and support whose THEMES+ Agenda starts with ‘T’ stands for transportation integration of different modal of transport which includes road, rail, waterways, and air transportation for ease, safe and convenience of Lagos residents and visitors.
She noted that LAGFERRY has a 50% discount on fares using the Lagos Cowry Card “So if you’re to pay 1,000
Naira that means you’ll be charging 500 Naira” she asserted.
Highlights of the event were the introduction of a boat cruise tour slated for December 16th and 17th, 2023, tagged Sail the Love Lagos Water Experience which is expected to take off from Bariga Waterfront Jetty and terminate at Takwa Bay Island beach.
In her goodwill message, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, represented by her aide commended the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to an intermodal transportation system, especially its huge investment in water transportation.
She expressed the willingness to sensitize the students and staff on the need to embrace water transportation.
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 LGAC.
