The Lagos State Government has said it has put in place measures to ensure safety of residents who commute on waterways across the state.
The Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services, Mr Ladi Balogun, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at his office in Amuwo-Odofin.
Balogun noted that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has made massive investments in water transportation to ensure that it is a safe and viable alternative to road transportation.
He said, “This administration has shown greater dedication and genuine commitment to ensure the creation of viable alternatives to road transportation and decongest traffic through unprecedented massive investment in the procurement of boats, construction and rehabilitation of terminals/jetties to open up new areas to water transportation, dredging of the waterways, removal of wreckages along the coastline and investment in security and safety equipment through the construction of real-time control and command centres to safeguard the waterways and ensure a quick emergency response.
“The Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration will continue to seek ways to create alternatives to road transportation and deploy adequate measures, and pieces of legislation to guarantee the safety of passengers on the waterways through effective collaborative efforts between federal and state regulatory agencies like Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Marine Police, Nigerian Navy, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development and Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.”
Balogun added that the government will also deploy technology to ensure an effective water transportation system.
“This administration’s commitment towards a multi-modal transport system is unwavering as it constantly deploys technology, increases investment, and creates a conducive atmosphere for private partnership participation to achieve a good and effective transport system desirable of a smart city like Lagos State.”