LAGFERRY introduces added advantage of cash benefits to users

…Says waterways safer for commuting, business operations

By Moses Adeniyi

The Lagos State Ferry Services, (LAGFERRY) has said its waterways are now safer for commuting and business operations as alternative to road usage, disclosing it has introduced a system of added advantage of cash benefits to users.

The reward system came on the heels of the adoption of Eko Token into the operating system of LAGFERRY, which according to the waterways Agency, users stand the chance to win cash rewards ranging from N5,000 – N100million through a weekly draw.

The Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, at a press briefing to disclose the new development in the services, said the need for waterways users “to enjoy and maximise” the benefits of the use of waterways informed the adoption of the reward system.

According to him, there has been since 2019, a transformation of the waterways sector, mentioning that key interests and commitment of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to development of the State’s waterways has afforded essential investment for crucial growth and acceptability among Lagosians.

The LAGFERRY Boss disclosed that more boats would be commissioned for use in close time, mentioning that with the development, experiences with businesses and cummuting would further receive broader outlook with firm control and regulation.

According to him, the collaboration with Eko token, which he described as “seamless, wonderful and fantastic initiative” is a pathway for waterways users to enjoy added benefits, extending reward system to users who patronise Lagos Ferry Services.

He added that with assurance of safety and comfort, users now have benefits to wining “something at the end of day” which he said would come in “cash and kind,” while increasing their mileage.

Speaking, the State’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke said the core values of the initiative is to create responsive path to meet needs of Lagosians.

According to her, the initiative was conceived “to better the lives of Lagosians,” stating that the “success is for every Lagosians to get benefits for every purchase with instant rewards.”

“It is a dawn of new season to change lives of Lagosians for good,” she said, stating that it was right time for businesses to begin to reward Lagosians who the have contributed to their “success stories.”

The General Manager,  Lagos State Consumers Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Afolabi Sholebo, said the Government is committed to protecting the rights of consumers in the State.

“Spending money and getting reward is something that should be appreciated,” he said, mentioning that the initiative forms a part of efforts to actualise  making Lagos a 21st century economy as captured in the THEMES agenda.

The  CEO Lagos Lottery And Gaming Authority, Mr. Are Bashir, said the  project was built around the anchor of the THEMES agenda, which he said was designed around Private Public Partnership (PPP) under a tripod arrangement.

According to him, the realities of COVID-19 pandemic with the associated economic challenges, necessited the essentials of innovation to address new situations.

The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, said the Government in eftort to raise the standards for safety measures, has employed more officers to strengthen its work force for proper monitoring of waterways activities and increase patrol for rescue mission.

According to him, mechanisms have been put in place for access to petrol on the waterways in the State, disclosing that the State is at the verge to  commission a broad based command and control centre for effective monitoring of all activities on waterways to respond to unfortunate incidences.

According to him, the safety measures is very important, to encourage more people, mentioning that there has been about 90 to 95 percent compliance to the use of life jackets with stricter controls.

He disclosed that the State Government provides a minimum of 2000 life jackets to various stakeholders for safety precautions.

The CEO, Cash Token Africa, Lai Labode, represented by the Head Business Expansion Unit, Adeoye Timi, said the integration of Eko Token into LAGFERRY services offers a broader range of coverage for Lagosians to benefit from the tripod system.

He said the token is routed through fair and transparent reward system, with  cash rewards for consumers whose transactions having reached N5,000 are entitled to Eko token points for the weekly draw for cash rewards.