Determined to set a standard in running a model ferry service across the country, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has directed the Lagos Ferry Services to embark on procurement of world class ferries which he promised Lagosians.
The Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the Lagos Ferry Services, Hon. Paul Kalejaiye made this known in a chat with newsmen on the sideline of the visit to Ilashe community in Lagos on Thursday noted that the agency is to take delivery of the ferries before the end of this year as a Christmas gift to Lagosians.
According to Kalejaiye,”The Governor had just yesterday approved that Lagos State Ferry Service should embark on procurement of world class ferries which he had promised Lagosians and the world class ferries are expected just before the end of the year so as to ensure that we can give Lagosians a Christmas gift.
“We can do a model service on water like we have done on roads. The Lag Ferry experience is being emulated by some other states. So, if Lag Ferry is able to run a model ferry service, it becomes example for other private operators to emulate. We are going to set the standard, if government set the standard, others will emulate. So, he has also approved that for which we are grateful to him and also grateful to the government of Lagos State”.
He disclosed that the Lagos State government was considering constructing a jetty at Ilashe for the use of the people of the community saying that the Commissioner of Waterfront and Infrastructure had assured that community would be considered for the construction of a model and an ideal jetty.
He pointed out that just like the Lagos State government had donated life jackets to the people of Ilashe community, the same gesture would be extended to the people of other riverine communities in the coming weeks beginning with Ikorodu which would have theirs in the next two weeks saying that that was where they had larger users of water transport.
“It is also the responsibility of the boat owners to provide life jackets. What government is doing is a supportive effort, government cannot provide life jackets to all users of boats on our waterways but government as a listening, caring and dynamic government will continue to respond accordingly and support and make some kind of interventions.
“So, what we have come here to do is an interventionist policy to ensure that we can also assuage the sufferings of those who use our waterways”, he said.
Asked how many ferries that being expected, he said,”I can tell you that we are starting with seven fleets which will also contain a car barge”.
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