Sanwo-Olu commissions another Jetty in Apapa, number hits seven in three days
By Moses Adeniyi
Among the series of commissioning of projects to herald the inauguration ceremony for a second term in office, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned another Jetty in Apapa Local Government Area (LGA).
The newly upgraded Jetty, christened, Liverpool Jetty in Apapa LGA makes it the seventh to be commissioned in three days – Wednesday to Friday.
The Liverpool Jetty is upgraded with construction of a terminal building with both male and female toilets; installation of floating pontoon; construction of reinforced concrete Jetty with floating pontoon and provision of generating set and installation of lighting system.
Speaking at the commissioning of the event on Friday, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the delivery of the Jetty is to serve the teeming population of Apapa, Liverpool and it’s environs.
According to him, the series of Jetties which have been commissioned in three days are key component of intermodal transportation system championed by his administration for an enhanced transportation system to attract private sector investment and further boost economic viability of the State.
Sanwo-Olu assured the completion of all pending jetty projects as well as to further strengthen regulations governing the waterways.
He said his administration would serve Lagosians “to the best of our ability” to deliver more dividends of democracy in his second term in office that will commence barely two days on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Speaking at the site of the commissioning of the Liverpool Jetty in Apapa, Sanwo-Olu expressed “heartfelt appreciation to the good people” of Lagos for their “support and believe in the ability of our great party, the All Progressives Congress to serve you and meet your aspirations.”
Sanwo-Olu who promised not to take the loyalty and support towards his administration for granted, promised “we will serve you to the best of our ability and deliver more dividends of democracy in our second term that will commence on Monday next week.”
“I thank you for your support in the last four years and look forward to even greater support as we embark on another journey of a bumper harvest of dividends of democracy,” Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructures Development, Arc. Kabir Ahmed said.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructures Development, ESV (Mrs) Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi said Sanwo-Olu is known to “stand by his word”, stating he “works his talk”.
According to her, the commissioning of the Liverpool Jetty, which makes it the seventh in three days, is a reflection of the commitment of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration to make transportation system in the State of better experience for economic development.
“It’s a very good development for the State and the residents because it’s going to serve the people of this community here. It will make the transportation of people and goods easy.
“Apapa is always known for traffic jam on a good day, but with the development, it would be easier to transport people and goods.
“The Jetties commissioned are in line with the promises made by Mr. Governor that all ongoing projects be completed. In the last three days, we have commissioned in different locations – four Jetties on Wednesday, two yesterday (Thursday) and this one today.
“What Mr. Governor is encouraging them to do is to take ownership of the Jetties so they can use it effectively for themselves. It would improve their lives and the economy at large,” she said.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructures Development in his speech which was delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said despite other competing needs across the State, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration considered it necessary to yield to the clamour for a modern Jetty by residents of the area.
“The aftermath of this clamour is what we are all witnessing today,” he said.
He said the delivery of the Liverpool Jetty, Apapa, Lagos is in response of the administration to ease transportation problems in the area and its environs “in an attempt to improve the economy of the people who are mostly fisherman and women as well as ensure the safety of travellers using water transportation.”
He said the project would benefit largely “the fishing community in particular and market men and women from this part of the State”, charging them to so much put the facility to good use.
On his part, the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed that the project is an excitement on the development of waterways transportation in the State.
He disclosed that the commuting capacity of the Liverpool Jetty is 40,000, mentioning the State eyes an enlargement potential to 100,000 ridership.
“This is an excitement for us. We would love to upgrade every existing Jetty that we have to increase the ridership to let Lagosians know that indeed they are getting the dividends of democracy and that’s what Mr. Governor has done by upgrading this Liverpool Jetty to accommodate and increase the ridership and also ensure the people of Apapa can also enjoy water transportation better,” Oluwadamilola said.
Calling for common ownership and maintenance, the Chairman, Apapa Local Government Area, Mrs. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, said the long awaited project would be a source of revenue “and will also open doors for people to come into Apapa”, which she said have been known for road traffic jam which has been discouraging people from coming into the area.
The Jetty delivered on Friday is one among other Jetties commissioned in three days among other projects commissioned as part of the activities lined-up for the Governor Sanwo-Olu/Dr. Obafemi Hamzat inauguration ceremony for second term in office.
The Jetties commissioned on Wednesday include the Ijegun-Egba, Jetty Ilashe Jetty in Amuwo-Odofin, Isalu-Ajido Jetty, Marina Badagry Jetty, while those of Offin Jetty in Igbogbo Bayeku and Ito Omu in Epe, were commissioned on Thursday.
