(PHOTOS) GOV SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES 15 HIGH-CAPACITY, LOCALLY FABRICATED BOATS TO BOOST WATER TRANSPORTATION

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On Wednesday, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, marked the first anniversary of his second term with a unique infrastructure gift to Lagosians.

The Governor launched a fleet of new high-capacity ferries, fabricated and assembled in Lagos, to cruise the state’s inland waterways and create a new transportation choice for commuters in the largest megacity in sub-Saharan Africa.

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The 15 boats have the capacity to carry 40 passengers each, as opposed to the 20 passenger limit on the existing vessels.

The ferries were manufactured by Caverton Marine in a factory jointly run by Lagos State Government and the private firm. The factory is located in Badore area of Eti-Osa.

The inauguration of the Omi-Bus carriers marked the completion of the first manufacturing phase in the partnership, with the new ferries immediately deployed for commercial operations by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to provide effective mobility options for the residents.

Sanwo-Olu, joined by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the State Executive Council, took the inaugural ride on the boats, sailing from Badore to Ikoyi. The journey took an average of 27 minutes.

Aside from enhancing rapid connectivity between communities in the state, Sanwo-Olu said the development would further catalyze economic prosperity by saving hours lost in traffic, while also optimising public investment in water transportation.

According to the governor, the inauguration of the locally fabricated ferries, designed to operate on the Cowry Card payment system, underscored his administration’s dedication to sustainable partnerships that advance the development of the intermodal transportation system in Lagos.

Creating viable waterways for transportation, Sanwo-Olu said, aligned with his government’s strategic vision to engender pollution-free mobility that would improve life quality and productivity.

He said, “Today marks yet another significant milestone in our quest to revolutionise transportation in Lagos in line with our T.H.E.M.E.S.+ agenda. Acquisition and deployment of these ferries for commercial operations symbolise our commitment to transforming Lagos into a city that thrives on efficient, clean and sustainable transportation.

“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to creating an integrated, multimodal transportation system that makes daily commutes smoother and more seamless. The launch of these ferries reaffirms our dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all Lagosians, while investing in infrastructure that promotes safety, reliability and convenience for the public.”

Sanwo-Olu further disclosed that an additional 25 high-capacity ferries were expected to be fabricated in the second phase of construction in the boat factory. This, he said, would further reduce the turnaround time for waterway transportation while expanding ferry services to more routes.

Furthermore, he assured Lagosians that the ferries were equipped with revolutionary technology to ensure commuters’ safety, comfort, and convenience, adding that the safety measures would be complemented by the modern technology installed in LASWA Command and Control Centre.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the OmiBus ferry project was initiated to transform commuting in the metropolis, with a special focus on rapid transiting and convenience.

“These modern ferries, with their advanced amenities and safety features, will not only ensure comfortability of passengers in secure journeys, they will also herald a new era of convenience and efficiency in Lagos. Mr. Governor’s visionary leadership and tireless effort in prioritising the development of our inland waterways has been nothing short of inspiring. This has laid the foundation for a transportation system that will serve future generations,” Osiyemi said.

In a related development, LASWA General Manager, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said the new vessels were designed with simple maintenance but high efficiency. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring a safer, faster and accident-free journey on the Lagos waterways.

He said the local production of ferries would drive more local investments in waterway transportation, just as it would open more commercial routes and access to isolated communities.

Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, Hon. Temitope Adewale, said the success of the partnership had further raised the confidence of the public in Governor Sanwo-Olu, saying, “This is what Lagosians want. This will enhance intermodal transportation system that will give people the choice to use all means of mobility.”

Other highlights of the commissioning included the inspection of the manufacturing facility of the factory by the governor.