In a bid to ensure an efficient, effective and a reliable public transportation system, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday commissioned 15 new Omi-Bus boats to boost water transportation in the state.
Speaking during the commissioning which took place at the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA Jetty at Badore area of Lagos, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the 40 seater modern boats which was the first phase of the planned 25 boats were locally manufactured with the exception of the engines which he said was the only imported components of the boats.
Sanwo-Olu observed that they could not wait for the entire 25 new modern boats to be ready before commissioning because of the urgency and the fact that they needed to demonstrate that backward integration was possible in the country, adding “we are doing it because the last one that we launched in this same facility about two years ago were all imported ferries, all of them, about 22 of them were imported ferries.”
“So, I am happy here that the ferries that we are handing over today are all done locally and like everybody has testified to it, it’s first in class and it’s something that we all need to be proud of. The only component that is still foreign in it is the engine which are outboard engines used to power the engines. So, I want to say it to all of us that it’s about the revolutionalization of our public transportation system and like I said, in our THEMES agenda, traffic management and transportation falls directly in the premise of what we are doing today.
“It’s only when we have efficient, effective and a reliable public transportation system that the economy of the city can grow and the people can see the economic value, that the people can have predictable journeys, that people can move from one point to the other”, he added.
The governor revealed that it took a maximum of 27 minutes to travel in the modern boats from Falomo to Badore, a journey he said would have taken 50 minutes to 1 hour by land.
Recalling that LASWA had distributed over 20,000 free life jackets in the last one year to enhance safety on water, he cautioned private ferry operators to abide by the instructions of the regulators to reduce fatality on waters.
“When they give you a time that you cannot ply on the waterways again, please stick with those regulated times. All of the unfortunate one or two fatality accidents that we have had on the waterways in the last one year are people that have not listened to the rules, they are people that have not kept to the rules of engagement, that beyond a certain time, you cannot ferry people from one part to the other again.
“You should not let economic benefits alone be the reason you are doing the unsafe mode of transportation and you are putting the lives of your passengers at risk. So, we want to use this occasion, once again to tell NIWA, to tell LASWA that we must continue to enforce those rules no matter who it is. Once the time that you set is reached, we cannot allow anybody to move on the waterways and always ensure that safety gadgets which are life jackets must be won”, the governor directed.
On mode of payment for the ferries, the governor said that the same cowry card being used for the ferries would be used in all the BRT buses and train services in the state to ensure a seamless payment system for commuters.
Insisting that the launch of the 15 ferries reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for Lagosians, the governor thanked it’s partner, Caverton Marine for proving that when one puts his heart and mind to things, he can do it.
In his part, the Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Mr. Seun Osiyemi noted that the launch of the new Omi-Bus Ferries was a testament to the collective commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Lagos residents stating that “This initiative is a bold step towards achieving a more efficient, sustainable, and accessible transportation system, reflecting our unwavering dedication to progress and innovation.”
He added that the Omi-Bus Ferries project was not just about improving transportation but about transforming how people live and move, about connecting communities, fostering economic growth, and reducing the stress and congestion that often characterize the daily commutes.
“These state-of-the-art ferries, with their modern amenities and safety features, will not only ensure passengers a comfortable and secure journey but also herald a new era of convenience and efficiency in Lagos. They are a beacon of hope, promising a brighter and more convenient future for all Lagos residents”, he said.
While appreciating the stakeholders, partners and dedicated team who made specific contributions to make the project a reality, the Commissioner equally thanked the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu “for your unwavering support and for being here today to inaugurate this vital addition to our city’s transport infrastructure. We are confident that with the launch of the Omi-Bus Ferries, Lagos will continue to thrive under your leadership and set new benchmarks for excellence in transportation.”
Earlier in his welcome speech, the General Manager, LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel maintained that the Omi-Bus ferry project was not just about adding more vessels but about enhancing the agency’s capacity to serve the growing number of commuters who rely on water transport daily.
Noting that those unique modern boats were equipped with revolutionary technology to ensure all commuters’ safety, comfort, and convenience, Emmanuel added that they represented LASWA’s commitment to sustainability, resilience, and innovation, featuring eco-friendly designs that minimize environmental impact.
“Our goal is to provide a viable alternative mode of transportation, thereby contributing to the economic growth and ecological sustainability of Lagos State.
“Through safety awareness strategies, LASWA has significantly increased ridership figures and reduced waterway accidents. We have also facilitated multi-modal transport connections and integration at several jetties by introducing the Cowry Cards payment solution, Last-Mile Transfer Buses, and Park-and-Ride facilities. With a state-of-the-art Waterways Monitoring and Data Management Center, LASWA is committed to providing reliable services.
“I am proud to say that LASWA is the go-to Agency when it comes to providing reliable data, research materials, and accurate time information on the Lagos Inland Waterways and ensuring that ferry transport is a sustainable means of transportation in the state”, he further said.
Photo 1: Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State (3rd from left) cutting the tape to inaugurate the 15 new Omi-Bus boats in Lagos yesterday.
Photo 2: A cross-section of the newly commissioner Omi-Bus in Lagos yesterday.
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