Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday inaugurated three executive boats procured strictly for official use by the state government.
The governor said during the inauguration at the Caverton Jetty on Victoria Island that the government had made several interventions for safety on waterways.
Ambode gave the assurance that more of interventions would come up by the end of the first quarter of 2018.
“As much as we are doing on the road, we have decided that we will face the waterways.
“As you are all aware, 25 per cent of Lagos is water, and it is important that we make it economically viable.
“We have ordered for seven ferries and also invited people from the private sector to take over the terminals and procure their own boats and ferries.
“We are so particular about safety and the future of everyone,” Ambode said.
He said that the government had also decided to embark on chanellisation and more dredging of waterways.
“You will begin to see all this at the end of the first quarter of 2018,” the governor said.
He added that there would be a major connectivity between water and road transportations to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to realising an integrated transport management system he promised the residents.
“We want a situation where people can connect buses to their destinations once they alight from a ferry,” he said.
According to him, the integration will take place in Ajah, Badore, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and some other parts of the state.
He said that the government had also taken delivery of four jet skis to help in fighting crime on the waterways.
“We are strongly committed to the comfort of Lagosians and to make life easier for everyone,” Ambode said.
He called on investors to tap into the various opportunities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor took a tour of the waterways to see channelisation and upgrading of jetties.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Mr Ade Akinsanya, said that the state had identified 30 water routes which would be dredged for transportation.
“It will be a 24-hour boat movement, properly lit with security to ensure safety,” Akinsanya said.
The General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mr Damilola Emmanuel, said that the agency had reviewed the waterways and was considering interventions that would open it up.
