Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has launched a new ferry route from Badagry to Marina, to ease the challenge of travel time and congestion caused by the road reconstruction and rehabilitation along the route.
The Lagos State Ferry Service (LAGFERRY) would commence commercial operation from Badagry through Liverpool to CMS/Marina in the morning and CMS/Marina via Liverpool to Badagry in the evening to ease movement of commuters.
The journey, estimated to take almost six hours by road, would be competed in just one hour by water.
At a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the launch, Managing Director of LAGFERRY, AbdulBaq Ladi Balogun, restated the state government’s commitment to improving water transportation as a panacea to traffic congestion, by constantly procuring new modern boats, rehabilitating and reconstructing modern jetties, opening new routes and providing hi-tech safety equipment, among others.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards fostering sustainable and efficient mode of transportation within the Badagry axis,” he said.
Represented by the Director, Admin and Human Resources, Mrs. Bunmi Mofunlewi, the MD said the move does not only provide a “platform for connectivity, but also holds numerous economic and social benefits for our community.”
He said the terminal will be served as a hub for tourism and recreational activities which will boost the local economy and provide the opportunity for visitors to experience the natural beauty of our waterways.
Ladi assured passengers that safety is guaranteed at LAGFERRY. “All our passengers are fully insured, our captains are professional and regularly trained. We provide world-class standard life jackets to our passengers and they stand a chance of winning cash rewards by buying our tickets through our collaboration with Eko Token which has seen passengers from some of our routes win cash prizes of between N20, 000 to N500, 000.”
He urged Lagosians to embrace the opportunities and possibilities the initiative presents. “Let’s work together, patronize the boat services as a viable alternative to road transport and create a future where environmentally friendly transportation becomes the norm, benefiting our society and the state.
Agoloto of Badagry Kingdom, Chief Hundogan Samuel, commended the state governor for building the jetty for the people of Badagry, adding that indigenes of Badagry should be part of those employed to drive the initiative.
“We are happy; we thank him and pray to God should continue to strengthen him.” The Chief Imam of Badagry Division, AbdulHakkem Akewushola, commended the Lagos State government as the initiative showed that Badagry is part of Lagos State.
He urged the state government to ensure the waterway is well secured; safe and ferry operators are well equipped with required training.
The Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Badagry Division, Pastor Sunday Hunyinbo, thanked the state governor for bringing the facility to Badagry.
“We know that transportation is important and we have been suffering on Badagry highway due to ongoing work on the expressway but the initiative of developing the waterways will ease the suffering of the people of Badagry.
“I want to thank our amiable government for remembering Badagry and bringing this type of facilities to Badagry. I must commend his administration’s effort and I also appreciate all personnel working with LAGFERRY.”
He urged Lagferry to ensure ferry attendance and driver adherence to the rules of operation.
“Steady safety precautions should be in place to avert accident and danger. He urged Lagferry to ensure all the boat attendance adhere strictly to instructions and avoid over crowdedness of the boat which may occur due to high patronage.”
He urged steady safety precautions to avert accidents and danger. He urged Lagferry to ensure all the boat attendance adhere strictly to instructions and avoid crowdy of boats which may occur due to high patronage.
Representative of Chairman Badagry Local Government Chairman, Secretary to Lagos State, Mr. Moses Gbotegbo, said the launch of the jetty by the state government is a good gesture because people of Badagry have been clamouring for it for a long time. “We are grateful to the state government, we thank him.”
Representative of Director General ASCOM, Mr. Aderibigbe Adejare said the locals and indigenes of Badagry that study Marine courses will be employed and trained on how the waterways operate, leveraging on their character when on duty.
Credit: The Guardian
