As part of efforts to boast water transportation system in the state, the Lagos State Government will soon introduce Electric powered boats.
This was revealed by the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Lagos last week during the working and courtesy visit of the Senate Committee on Marine Transportation and Blue Economy led by its Chairman, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, at Lagos House, Ikeja, last week.
The Governor said “About a month ago, we launched an additional brand new 15 ferry boats with about 40 passengers each for water transportation. The boats were fabricated and completed here in Lagos. We have launched and handed them over to the operators to ease water transportation.
“We just did ground-breaking work for two iconic projects that would be by the waterfronts; Lagos-Marina Inter-Change. It is an interchange that would harbour water transportation, rail transportation, and bus rapid transportation. We are doing another one at Mile 2, which will also be for water, rail, and bus interchange stations.
He added that “These are landmark projects that will not only change the face of water, and marine transportation in Lagos but will also enhance social economic activities, the movement of people from one part of the city to another, and reduce travel time by 60 to 70 per cent. NIWA is aware of all the projects because we have been collaborating with them.
“We are working on the Omi-Eko Water Project. The Omi-Eko Water Project is a well-thought-out project that will run for the next four to five years. It is going to enhance water transportation. We are going to build additional water jetties. We are going to be buying electric boats—100/120 passenger boats. We are going to improve security on the waterways. We are going to enhance a Command and Control Centre on the waterways.”
Speaking earlier, Eshinlokun-Sanni called for collaboration between the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to drive social economy and commercial activities on waterways.
He said “We are here to look at how NIWA is doing and to see the area of cooperation with the Lagos State Government because of the recent judgement of the Supreme Court.
“We want to see how NIWA will enjoy a good relationship with the Lagos State Government without acrimony because we are the same government as the APC, and most importantly, the father of the nation is from Lagos State. We are not here to witch-hunt; we are here to work with you and the people of Lagos State and Nigeria,” he said.
The committee also visited the NIWA office at Marina and reclamation works under the regulations of the Inland waterways at Orange Island, Ostia Island, and Exomozel Island within the Lagos Lagoon.
