The water transport system is one of the major features of any developed megacities surrounded by water bodies around the world. These waterways are unique to the city panoramic views of the state. It enhances the quality of life of the people and the aquatic ornaments that give the magnificent appearance and plethora luster to a city.
Lagos as one of the emerging megacities in West Africa surrounded by these water bodies is fundamentally making unprecedented exploits in the diversity of its transport sector to ease the challenges of transportation in the city. Such a move is described by Walter Rodney as the ability of a man to conquer his environment to his advantage is a functional base for development.
Over the years, Lagos state has been faced with the challenges of transport infrastructure deficit as a result of urbanization and the rapid growth of the city. Successive governments have continued to think a way out of it. This can be seen by the persistent gridlock in Lagos highways that is aberrantly sickening and nothing to contend with. If there was anything so common about Lagos’s life that is so dreadful, it is the chaotic traffic jam. Such jams or gridlock can make a laboring woman contract in seconds. This of course had made life furiously miserable and tiresome for some Lagosians, who sometimes have no choice than to relocate to other city centers to be freed from this menace.
However, the story now is changing for good as the Lagos State government is tackling this challenge head-on with a robust plan to diversify the transportation sector. The kick-off of the commercial waterways transportation, with the launch of eight newly acquired speed boats by the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu earlier this year in February, marked the beginning of a new dawn for the Lagos transport palava.
Sanwo-Olu described the intervention represented as a āgreat leapā in his administrationās strategy to deliver an effective and integrated intermodal transportation system in addressing the perennial issue of traffic congestion on the roads.
“The narrative of transportation in Lagos is about to change for good, as we are set to take full advantage of the water bodies to decongest our roads and substantially reduce travel time for commuters”.
Commendably, the steps taken by the state to meet this growing need of the infrastructure deficit will not only ease the ever crazy gridlock on Lagos highways but also boost the economy from the sector. The diversification of the transport sector holds a lot of promise for the people of Lagos. Talk of the potentials in fully harnessing this sector to attract investment and tourism to the city.
From the rail and intercity light rail to commercial road and more spectacularly the ferry transport systems which is unique in this reform. The diversity in this sector is second to none as it holds much promise and would offer a whopping opportunity for Lagosians, tourism investment, and revenue generation. āToday, we are launching eight units of additional ferries to complement the existing six ferries in the fleet of Lagos Ferry Service. It is glaring that for Lagos to be a functional smart city that we desire, there must be diversification of the mode of transportation. There must be interconnectivity of the rail, road, and water transportation systems.ā Sawo-Olu said in an interview with PM news during the kickoff in February.
The ferry transport is as old as the city itself, but the potential has not been fully harnessed until just recently that the need has arisen to do so to meet the challenges in the sector.
The commercial operation of the ferry transport would feature at least the capacity to carry 60 passengers, two were built to carry 50 passengers, while another two had capacities of 40 passengers. Also, three of the boats will carry 30 passengers, four will carry 25 passengers and two will carry 25 passengers.
The design and fabrication of the new boats were worked out by two local boat manufacturers in line with Sanwo-Oluās promise to explore local capacity in providing solutions to various challenges. All the boats are built with comfortable seats, in-built Wi-Fi, and modern technological devices that will aid smooth operations and safety.
The ferry transport service is managed by LAGFERRY enlisting six routes for operations: Ikorodu to Falomo; Ikorodu to Ebute Ero and Marina; Ebute Ero to Ijegun Egba, Apapa and Marina; Bayeku to Oke Ira Nla and Falomo; Mile 2 to Marina, and Badore to Ijede.
Lagos State Waterways is charged with the responsibility for coordinating and managing reforms necessary for the long term growth and development of water transportation in Lagos State, including the granting of ferry licenses and concessions for the operations of ferry routes and terminals to the private sector.
These reforms entail the creation of an enabling long-term regulatory environment that attracts significant private sector involvement in the provision of water transport services. Through LASWA, the LASG has embarked on a program of policy reforms and investments to promote and facilitate the provision of water transport aimed at realizing its potential to become an attractive mode of transport.
This will however regulate and promote the use of Lagos inland waterways, encourage sustainable investments, and develop lasting water transport solutions for the people of Lagos state.
While Lagosians patiently wait for COVID19 to come to end, the government is leaving no stone unturned to transform Lagos into a model city with world-class inland waterways infrastructure and services.
