The Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) has concluded plans to increase its boat fleet to 20, as part of strategy to improve and encourage water transportation services in the state.
The Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, made this known in his new year’s message to commuters, while residents are encouraged to embrace the choice of water transportation to avoid hours in road traffic gridlocks.
Ladi-Balogun assured that the Agency would reciprocate the government’s huge investment in water transportation with improved and efficient service delivery to residents in the New Year.
The Managing Director urged Lagosians to consider water transportation as a possible alternative mode that is fast, seamless, safe and reliable, adding that the first quarter of the New Year would witness improved operations in water transportation operations.
“I urge you to stay tuned and expect more remarkable giant strides in water transportation in the first quarter of the New Year as the agency takes delivery of additional world-class state-of-the-art boats to increase our fleet to 20 and our capacity to meet the ever-increasing demands,” he stated.
While thanking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support and commitment to the intermodal transportation system in the State, especially water transportation, Ladi-Balogun said that LAGFERRY achieved unprecedented milestones in its operations in the last one year by commuting over 200,000 passengers within 150 days of operation in 2020.
He said that the Agency would have done better if not for the interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and #EndSARS protest.
“Notable among the achievements and huge milestones recorded by LAGFERRY was expanding services to Epe, Badagry, Agbowa-Ikosi, Agbara and Ibeju-Lekki; Contributed 38% of the water transportation index to the transportation matrix of the State; Improved water transportation contribution to Lagos GDP from 0.2% to 0.8%; paying a high premium to safety and Achieving accident-free record.”
Ladi-Balogun also disclosed that the Agency had been able to provide a reliable alternative intermodal transportation option for Lagosians and helping to decongest road traffic by providing innovative logistics solution for cargoes of corporate organisations through the waterways.
He gave assurances that LAGFERRY would remain committed to the safety of passengers and would not compromise on any of the COVID-19 safety protocols as it relates to water transportation.
“We will continue to break new grounds as we open up uncharted territory in water, we are committed to your safety as we promise not to compromise on all safety protocols. We are urging the commuting public to embrace water transportation as an alternative to road transport, just as we assure our passengers of our commitment to their safety and improved service delivery,” Ladi-Balogun added.
