Check Out These Nigerian Made Boats That Lagos Govt Wants To Buy- PHOTOS

Lagos State government has assured local boat builders of patronage, not only to strengthen the economy but to enhance interest in water transportation and decongest the roads in line with the vision of making water transportation one of the best alternatives to road travel.

The Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun gave the assurance during an inspection tour of two major boat factories, V-Craft and Sierra Craft, in Lagos State on Monday.

He affirmed the government's commitment to efficient water transportation system, saying LAGFERRY has been mandated to identify and patronise local builders who have the capacity to build and adhere strictly to international standard practises.

READ: Lagos Ferry To Start Operations In November - See What The Ferries Look Like

“We want to build an eco-system and ensure everybody is carried along in achieving the multi-modal transportation initiative of the present administration to decongest the roads, so any manufacturer that meets our criteria will be patronised. We want to encourage local investors, particularly those that have an interest in water transportation to patronise the manufacturers of these boats”, he stated.

While disclosing the State government's intention to roll out commercial ferry services in the next couple of weeks, Ladi-Balogun assured Lagosians of a new experience in water transportation driven by the latest technology and built on safety, reliability, efficient services, comfort and value for money.

Responding, the Managing Director, Sierra Craft, Mr Olusegun Jaji expressed delight at the interest of the State government in developing local water transportation, especially with assurances to local builders that they would enjoy government patronage, expressing his delight at this administration’s commitment to improving and increasing water transportation.

He asserted his company's capability of producing and delivering world-class boats of international standard as required by the State government, maintaining that industry players are also ready to key into the vision of the present administration to improve water transportation as a means of decongesting the heavy traffic situation on Lagos roads.

Lagos Ferry To Start Operations In November - See What The Ferries Look Like

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Ferry Services, LAGFERRY, will ferry an average of 480,000 passengers via the waterways as it progresses in its commercial operations due to commence next month in commemoration of 200 days of the Sanwo-Olu led administration.

The Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde disclosed this during his working visit to the LAGFERRY office at Mile-2, alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Olawale Musa and other management staff.

He lauded the agency’s efforts and preparations on advancing water transportation including boat tests, and critical assessment of 30 key routes with the aid of drones, promising the Ministry's support to ensure that the agency remains effective to sustain the safe use of the waterways by citizens.

Oladeinde also stated that the agency will work hand in hand with LAMATA to incorporate the ferry system into the central ticketing and billing system to coordinate the modes of transportation in the State.

The Managing Director, LAGFERRY, Mr Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, while briefing the Commissioner, stated that the agency is working with its counterparts, the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources as well as the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure to rid the water channels of wreckages and debris which are the main causes of mishaps on the waterways.

He revealed that the agency is looking to drive its operations via technology by creating an application that will allow passengers to make online ticket bookings for their trips ahead of time to create ease and reduce loading time.

Ladi-Balogun also mentioned that the agency is keen on commencing commercial boat activities, through its already existing routes, to decongest the roads and ultimately ease movement from one place to another, adding that riverine communities like coconut, Snake Island, Badagry and Ikorodu are clamouring for effective waterways transportation along the axis.

He proferred that goods and vehicles could also be moved off the roads to their various destinations on water through high capacity barges.

According to LAGFerry, in a bid to ensure a wonderful experience on our ferries, we are providing free wifi to every passenger on board as well as an electrical power outlet to charge your phones and gadgets. We are putting a lot into consideration.

See photos of the ferries that will launch as from November.

The MD of LAGFerry

Wireless Spot for Phones and Charging