LAGFERRY set to increase boat fleet by 20
By Seun Ibiyemi
In commitment to a multimodal transport system aimed at tackling traffic gridlocks in the metropolis, the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) has said that arrangements have been concluded by the State Government to increase the boat fleet to 20.
The Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, who made the appeal at the weekend in his new year message to commuters while mapping out the Agency’s operational strategies for the year 2021, disclosed that Lagosians would witness a lot of transformation in water transportation in the new year.
He urged Lagosians to embrace the unlimited possibilities in water transportation to ease incessant traffic gridlock in the State.
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.
While wishing them a more prosperous new year, the LAGFERY boss 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 unwavering support and commitment to the intermodal transportation system in the State, especially water transportation, Ladi-Balogun informed 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, noting 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”, he enthused.
While informing that the Agency has 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 assured 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 asserted.
