The Nation Newspaper

Tag: water transportation

  • Water transportation: Lagos targets 1m passengers daily

    Water transportation in Lagos is expected to accommodate between 500,000 to 1million passengers per day when fully operational and it is expected to decongest the roads.

    Commissioner for transport, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde stated this while answering questions from reporters during an inspection tour of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, in its office at Falomo, Lagos at the weekend.

    For now the waterways carries only between 70,000 to 100,000 passengers which the commissioner said is quite low.

    He assured that the state government is currently making a lot of investment in the sector to provide all the needed facilities and equipment and make it as safe as possible.

    “We will make sure water transportation will be the next best thing in Lagos, water transportation is the next frontier for this administration and that is why we are pumping a lot of resources into the sector.

    “We are investing a lot in water transportation, when you look at the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, he has prioritise water transportation as one of the mode that will take pressure off the roads and there is a lot of investments going in there.

    “We are making it as safe as possible and I can assure Lagosian that it would be one of the attractive mode in Lagos; currently we are working with Coca Cola that has invested in clearing wreckages from the water and we will encourage more private sector participation.

    Speaking on challenges confronting the agency earlier, Managing Director of LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel said the agency needs among other things an emergency and rescue system, that operators should be certificated and that there is need for capacity building for LASWA staff.

  • Ferry boss seeks patronage of water transportation

    The Managing Director of Lagos Ferry Services Company, Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, has sympathised with the victims of Ikorodu Truck accident.

    He advised motorists to drive within the approved speed limit.

    Ladi-Balogun, however, urged Lagosians to patronise the waterways as alternative means of transportation “considering the fact that our waterways are free from gridlocks.”

    According to him, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is making efforts to ensure security and welfare of all Lagosians.

    This, Ladi-Balogun said, led to vigorously pursue the attainment of intermodal systems of transportation, including optimal usage of the waterways.

    The ferry services chief implored Lagosians to take advantage of water transportation to help decongest the road traffic.

    He assured them of their safety on the waterways in the hands of well-trained professionals offering customer-centric services.

    He said: “Lagos state government has made huge investments in water transportation infrastructures. The first pillar of the strategic policy drive is seamless integrated systems of Transportation and Traffic Management as espoused in the THEMES agenda of.

    “To this effect, Lagos Ferry Services has acquired Ultra-Modern 60 seaters and 40 seaters Passenger Boats and 120 tonnage Cargo Barges to ferry Cars and Goods across Lagos Waterways to boost commerce. It is also a strategic component of Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.”

    Ladi-Balogun said water transportation is faster, safer, cheaper and offers pleasant experiences.

    “We are working assiduously to achieve our collective dream for a greater Lagos,” he said.

  • Lagos and water transportation challenge

    Addressing the transportation and traffic challenges of a complex mega city like Lagos has been a foremost concern of successive administrations in the state. Evidently, the need to develop other means of transportation cannot be over-emphasized, given the complex nature of the sector in the state.

    Particularly, in view of its unique topography, Lagos has great potential to develop water transportation to a highly competitive level. Since 25 per cent of the state’s landmass consists of water body, it is just rational for government to look more in this direction in tackling the ever hectic transportation situation in the state. It is, thus, not surprising that the state government is now more poised to step up efforts toward improving water transportation in the state.

    It is in furtherance of this that the state government recently organized a roundtable on water transportation. At the event, which was well attended by diverse stakeholders, the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode reiterated the commitment of his administration to fully harness the potential of water transportation to the benefit of the people and economic prosperity of the state.  The governor decried the situation in which Lagos residents largely depend on road transportation over the years. This, according to him, is responsible for the pressure on Lagos roads.

    Bearing in mind the size of investment required to advance the course of water transportation in the state, it is only logical that government evolve effective framework in partnership with the private sector and relevant stakeholders in the project. It is, thus, quite encouraging to note that key private sector investors are actively involved in ongoing plans to boost the sector.

    It is, indeed, reassuring that government at the roundtable also sealed a major partnership with a consortium of multi-national companies, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, to rid the waterways and water bodies in the state of filth with specific focus on plastic waste. The agreement will also bring about the setting up of a world class collection and recycling framework for plastic waste in Lagos State.

    The consortium, which includes Nigeria Bottling Company, Coca-Cola, 7-Up Bottling Company, Nestle and Nigerian Breweries among others, will be investing in boats with capacity to collect waste from the waterways.  This will protect the ecosystem and boost water transportation. If the state’s water transportation potential is to be maximally exploited, there is need for more of such private sector’s collaborations.

    On its part, the state government has continued to demonstrate its resolve to change the face of water transportation in the state. Recently, the state government inaugurated some boats and four Jet Skis at Caverton Jetty in Civic Centre, Victoria Island.  They were acquired to ensure safety on the waterways. Similarly, government lately ordered the procurement of seven additional ferries, while also doing a lot to encourage private sector operators to take over terminals and also to procure more of their own boats and ferries.

    Understandably, a lot of prominence is particularly being accorded safety of the waterways. This is why lots of channelization and dredging are being done in order to make the waterways safe and secure for all stakeholders. There are also plans to connect water terminals and the roads, especially in places such as Badore, Ajah, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and other places where there are terminals. Consequently, there is now visible evidence of government’s renewed investment in this sector. As more private sector interest becomes really noticeable in the sector, this would in no small measure help to complement government’s huge investment in the sector.

    Presently, about 30 commercial routes have been identified on the state’s waterways for dredging and channelization, while 10 jetties spread across the state are being constructed, among other ongoing plans for the sector. When all the designated corridors for the ferry service become fully operational, Lagos will not only reduce excess reliance on roads as a major means of transportation, but also air pollution. Today, traffic is responsible for 90% of the ambient carbon-monoxide level posing a major threat to human health. The take-off of these new corridors will also lead to additional new jobs with economic multiplier effects on the society.

    In order to further strengthen various water economy related reforms and initiatives in the state, the Ministry of Justice is currently working on legal plans to enforce relevant laws guiding the waterways to ensure compliance with safety standards and to checkmate any illegal activity by operators.

    Perhaps more importantly, recent procurement of relevant sophisticated machines by the government is an indication that the process of ridding the state’s waterways of debris and hyacinth as part of the holistic plan to further boost water activities relating to the waterways, has earnestly begun. It would be recalled that for a long time, hyacinth which is otherwise known as aquatic weed, had been a major source of concern with attendant challenges to the waterways in the state. A seasonal threat, water hyacinth had brought about damages to propulsion system of boats thus affecting water related activities.

    The machines were acquired to tackle the challenges posed by water hyacinth and other such water threats by taking away debris and hyacinth from the state’s waterways. The new machines act like an underwater lawn mower and cut the vegetation as well as collect and store weeds and debris, while it is fitted with a pick-up conveyor at the forward end which can be lowered up to six feet deep into the water for effective cleaning of the waterways. This initiative heralds the clean-up of the state’s waterways, thus preparing the ground for other innovative activities of the state’s development plan to transform the Lagos Waterways to world class standards.

    Considering the various laudable initiatives of the state government towards improving waterways’ infrastructure in the state, it is important that all stakeholders come up with more innovative ideas that would further complement government’s efforts in this direction.  This is, hence, the right time for existing and potential investors to enhance investment in the sector. Without a doubt, development of the state’s waterways represents a key solution to traffic gridlock across the state.

    But then, it must be stressed that the state’s waterways, stretching from Badagry to Epe, (with a peninsular in between, a lagoon at the back and the Atlantic in front), Ikorodu to Marina and Badagry to Marina are nature’s gift that must be properly preserved. Nothing must be done to jeopardize their safety and purity. Injurious activities such as illegal sand mining and dredging, pollution of the water body through diverse unwholesome practices, among others, should be discouraged in its entirety.

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • New agenda for water transportation

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last Friday opened a new vista when he unveiled an agenda to rev up water transportation. It may be the needed game changer in the gridlock in the nation’s financial capital, writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE

    Of the three modes of transportation – land, air and water, the latter has remained the least developed in Lagos State.

    Since the Second Republic when former Governor Lateef Jakande invested in the sector, charting and dredging water routes and buying seven ferries to ply the waterways, the sector has gone comatose.

    The establishment of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) did not change anything, as it was almost always up in arms against the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the federal regulator, over who controls the waterways.

    But last week, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode unveiled a new master plan for the sector.

    It was the first water transportation sector roundtable.The event, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, in Lagos, not only unveiled the plan for water transport, but sought the assistance of multinational organisations in cleaning up the waterways.

    Ambode said the event  was aimed at identifying new techniques and technologies as well as best practices to sustain water transportation.

    “The technologies to be deployed,’’ the governor added, ‘’should be such that would contribute to reduction of carbon emissions, improving health and safety of commuters and contribute to the goals of the Paris agreement.’’

    He continued: “The objective was to draw policy experts and development partners and investors to the state’s short- term 2012 -2015 Development Plan, with the purpose of ensuring that the state drives a transportation policy that meets the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal II.”

    Assuring operators, investors and stakeholders that none would lose his space in the sector, Ambode reiterated the government’s determination to pioneer the deployment of new ideas and infrastructure that would enable the water sector to move with ease and plan efficiently.

    For stakeholders, the event could not have come at a better time, affording operators to know what the state plans to do with its vast water resources that have continued to be a cesspool of waste. From the Badagry Creek, to the Omu River, the state has 210-kilometre creeks and water bodies that have been begging for investment.

    From Badagry Creek, Ologe Lagoon, Yewa River, Commodore Channel (Lagos Harbour) and Five-Cowrie Creek; and from Lagos Lagoon, Lekki Lagoon to Omu River, Iyagbe, Kuramo, Apase, Epe and Mahin Lagoons, the Lagos wetlands are flanked by tidal wetlands and swamps, with the lagoons, which  are separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a long sand spit of five km wide, which stretched for more than 50 km and three to 13 km wide.

    Even the governor admitted that water transportation, though neglected for a long time, remained key to resolving traffic congestion in the state.

    “The chaotic traffic situation in some parts of the state in recent times and the pressure on the road with attendant danger to lives and property, made the need to forge ahead with the reforms in the water sector more compelling,” he said.

    According to him, “the question to ask is what has brought us to this despicable situation, where the only mode of transportation for over 22 million people is road and the road itself is chaotic. In the last three years, we have been fighting traffic and, unfortunately in the last two weeks, we have seen what has happened in Apapa and what we have been trying to do. Just about three weeks ago, we saw what happened with regards to the Otedola Bridge disaster.

    “Out of the over 22 million people, almost eight million are walking on the streets every second, and according to the United Nations 2016 statistics, 86 people enter Lagos every one hour, which is the largest in the world. So, if other states are failing, more people would migrate to Lagos and that means maybe right now, there are 120 people entering Lagos not wanting to go back and the only mode of transportation we have for them is just the road. That is why we are coming up with other modes.

    “1/5th of Lagos is water. We have the smallest geographical space in Nigeria of 3577 square kilometres with 25 per cent of that being water. So, you are asking yourself, why in the history of Lagos and in the history of Nigeria, that we did we not just think of other modes of transportation?”

    The governor said it was instructive to note that being surrounded by water, many parts of the state could be connected within few minutes.

    “I was in Apapa yesterday and I looked at the gridlock and it made sense to me that it is just five minutes ride between Apapa and Marina and so the question is can’t we create barges that can take our cars and then push them to Marina and back to Apapa in just five minutes and so in no time everybody is in their offices instead of going through the traffic?

    “Between Badore and Ikorodu is just 10 minutes. This is something that has been waiting for a long time and I just think this is the right time for us to do it because those coming behind us will not forgive us if we don’t take advantage of all the things we need to do to develop water transportation,” Ambode said.

    The governor added that major channelisation and dredging, shoreline protection and construction of jetties, among others, were ongoing as part of efforts to boost water transportation.

    He said the roundtable was basically to come up with sustainable framework to encourage people to adopt water transportation as an alternative and faster mode.

    Wooing investors to take advantage of the reforms in the water sector, Ambode said it was instructive that in the last 36 months, more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) had come into the state largely due to the transparency and credibility to encourage investors, assuring that his administration would continually create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Transportation Mr Ladi Lawanson said the essence of the roundtable was to evolve an effective framework, in partnership with the private sector and relevant stakeholders, to play up water transport to divert pressure from the roads.

    Also, a major player in the sector, Mr Ganiyu Balogun, who is the managing director of Tarzan Ferry Services, commended Ambode for his commitment to reving up water transport and harnessing its potential for the people.

    He said stakeholders were aware of the challenges in the sector and were willing to partner the state government to address the issues for the benefit of the state.

    There were presentations from the University of Lagos, United States Mission in Nigeria, Trade and Investment Department of the British High Commission and Paramount Maritime Holdings of South Africa, which expressed their readiness to partner the government to boost water transport.

    Meanwhile, the government has  sealed a deal with a consortium of multi-national companies, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, to rid the waterways and water bodies of filth with specific focus on plastics.

    The agreement will also bring about the setting up of a world-class collection and recycling framework for plastic waste.

    The consortium include the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), the 7-Up Bottling Company, Nestle and Nigerian Breweries, among others, who will invest in boats to collect waste from the waterways to protect the ecosystem and boost water transport.

  • Ambode calls for private sector participation to boost water transportation, GDP

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed his administration’s commitment to provide critical infrastructure and enabling environment for investors and the private sector to participate in the ongoing efforts to boost water transportation in the state.

    Ambode made the promise at a Roundtable on Water Transportation organised by the State Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Transportation which held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

    The governor said he wants the private sector to own the state economy because that is the only way to grow the Gross Domestic Product, GDP of the state.

    Critical stakeholders/strategic partners who were part of the Roundtable include: United Passengers Waterways Association; University of Lagos; The Good Beverage Recycling Alliance; United States Mission in Nigeria, Trade and Investment Department of British High Commission, South Africa government, Paramount Maritime Holdings of South Africa etc.

    Ambode said though the water transportation sector had been left unattended to over the years it, however, remains critical to solving the traffic congestion problem affecting the State.

    According to him, “The question to ask is what has brought us to this despicable situation so to speak where the only mode of transportation for over 22million people is road and the road itself is chaotic. In the last three years, we have been fighting traffic and unfortunately in the last two weeks, we have seen what has happened in Apapa and what we have been trying to do. Just about three weeks ago, we saw what happened with regards to the Otedola Bridge disaster and then the carnage, as well as the inability of government to provide for the needs of the people.

    “So, among the over 22 million people, almost 8 million are walking on the streets every second and at the same time, 86 people enter into Lagos every one hour according to United Nations statistics for 2016 which is the largest in the world. So, if other states are failing, more people are going to be coming to Lagos and that means maybe right now, there are 120 people entering Lagos not wanting to go back and the only mode of transportation we have for them is just the road and that is why we are coming up with other modes”, said Governor Ambode.

    While reeling the benefits of water transportation especially to traffic management, the Governor said it was instructive to note that being surrounded by water, many parts of the State could be connected within few minutes.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson said the essence of the roundtable was to evolve effective framework in partnership with the private sector and relevant stakeholders to play up water transportation in Lagos with the view to diverting a lot of pressure currently on the roads to water.

     

  • Boost for water transportation, others in Lagos

    Boost for water transportation, others in Lagos

    The ninth town hall meeting of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode shows that among other things water transportation, security of life and property in Lagos will not be the same again, writes WALE AJETUNMOBI.

    Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, since assuming office as the 14th governor of Lagos State, has shown great promise.  No wonder the state has literally been turned into a huge construction site. Every quarter he updates the people on how the affairs of the state are managed.

    Nine Town Hall Meetings have been held in all the three senatorial districts of the state on a rotational basis. The fourth quarter town hall meeting held at the SUBEB Proposed Permanent Site in Kosofe Local Government last Tuesday.

    At the meeting, the governor rendered account of his stewardship in the last three months, with another pledge to implement more infrastructural projects in all parts of the State in line with his electoral promises to the people.

    While reeling out some of the activities of his administration in the last three months, Ambode said during the period under review, the government commenced the reconstruction of Oshodi International Airport Road, construction of Pen Cinema Flyover, the reconstruction and upgrade of Igbe-Bola Tinubu road in Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, unveiled the first State-owned DNA and Forensic Centre in West Africa, while comprehensive plan to fix all roads that have been eroded by heavy rains witnessed in the last few months also started. To that end, the government said repairs of 43 major link roads across the five divisions of the State as well as a comprehensive flood control programme that will ensure a flood free State by end of year 2017 were being implemented.

    Ambode said: “The traffic situation in the Apapa area in recent times has been of major concern to our Administration. We will therefore not relent in our efforts to reclaim Apapa as a liveable part of Lagos and return it to its pristine glory as a hub of economic prosperity.

    “In Oworonshoki, construction work is progressing to transform the blighted waterfront into the biggest water transportation hub in Nigeria. When completed, the site will become a mega ferry terminal with the state-of-the-art facilities, including a park capable of accommodating 2,000 cars and cruise facility that will enable user’s easy access to the jetty.

    “Plans are also underway to unfold an intensive design for the beautification of Jibowu and Yaba as part of the general greener Lagos plan to rehabilitate and beautify blighted areas. As part of the Onikan-Marina Regeneration plan, we have approved the upgrade of the 5,000 capacity Onikan stadium to attain the standards of a 21st century sporting facility, while as part of strategies adopted to secure Model schools in the outskirts and those close to riverine areas, a Joint Tactic Squad comprising officers of all the security agencies has been established to increase security within and around such vulnerable areas of the state.”

    While responding to a request by a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Jokotola Pelumi, on the need to extend more developmental projects to Agbowa, Governor Ambode said his administration was already working towards transforming the Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu Ode Road which is currently in a deplorable state to eight lanes through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, among other projects already planned for the axis.

    He appealed for understanding of residents on inconveniences being experienced as a result of ongoing projects, assuring that all the projects would be completed on schedule.

    Ambode used the opportunity of the meeting to reiterate the call for devolution of powers to state and practice of true federalism.

    For him, devolution of powers to states and practice of federalism in the true meaning of the word is a sure way to address the knotty issues slowing down the progress of the nation. At different fora, the governor has consistently maintained that there is a compelling and urgent need for the country to allow states which are the federating units of the country to actualise their potentials.

    For instance, while speaking recently at a joint working retreat of Senate and House Representatives Committees on the Review of 1999 Constitution held in Lagos, Ambode called for amendment of the Constitution to entrench fiscal federalism, which in turn, would go a long way in making the states to come up with innovative programmes and initiatives that would scale up development.

    So, it was not surprising again when Ambode renewed the call for devolution of powers to states and true federalism at town hall meeting.

    The governor said: “I support true federalism; I support all the issues raised by Asiwaju; we are on the same page. That is the page of APC; that is where we are and that is what we are committed to. Like I have always said, we need to deal with issues that relate to devolution of powers. Like somebody said, if I have more resources, all these items that you are coming to raise here, once you raise it, I will just say done. I need more money. So, why should somebody be saying they are the ones in charge of inland waterways when the waterways is transporting my own people and my own services and when there is a law about it.”

    Ambode also questioned why despite the existence of Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law enacted by the Lagos State House of Assembly, there were still attempts from the central government to regulate hotels and entertainment centres in the state, a situation he said was an anomaly that should be addressed accordingly.

    “We enact a law and somebody says he wants to do another law that regulates hotels inside Lagos. Is it not because of the roads that they put hotel there? That is what devolution of power is saying. If these things are on residual list, let Local Government and States deal with them. That is all that we are asking for.

    “So, obviously that is the whole idea behind this agitation for true federalism, devolution of powers and the need to use it to liberate ourselves so that we can get more prosperous; so that our people can be more comfortable and it is all about the welfare of our people. Our people have said that we should do this work and we must be able to speak on your behalf on the things that really matter to all of you,” he said.

    He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to join hands with the state government to wage a total war against all forms of crimes as well as drug abuse in their various communities.

    He said his administration will not relent in its efforts towards reducing the menace, adding however that concerted efforts from the traditional rulers and community leaders, who are closest to the people, were very pivotal to achieving the desired result.

    “We are in October and we are going to December, naturally, when it gets to the ember months, somehow traditionally, crime rate go up but in the last two years, we have been able to reduce crime rate when it is coming to December.

    “I want to appeal to all our traditional rulers and other community leaders; there is a need for us to support the Neighborhood Safety Corps. Also, our volunteers and the people should now be more vigilant and then cooperate with our security agencies to maintain law and order.  I want to reduce the crime rate to the barest minimum and I know that we are going to engage a lot of our youths in end-of-the-year activities to make sure that peace continue to reign in Lagos,” the Governor said.

    Ambode also implored the various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to increase their awareness campaign on the dangers of drug abuse, saying that there was an urgent need for them to also join the fight against all forms of domestic and sexual violence.

    “Like people already know, we are at the forefront of fighting drugs, sexual abuse and violence against women and children, we will not relent in fighting these menace in the society. I believe strongly this is the time to talk to our children; I believe strongly this is the time to talk to our wards and even those who are around us that this time around, the State Government is ready to fight crime in all its ramifications,” he said.

    The governor also commended residents for their continuous support to his administration, saying that it had gone a long way in driving the various infrastructural development programmes implemented by the State Government.

    He hailed the efforts of some community associations who have taken the initiative to start up projects in their vicinity, assuring that aside recognition from the State Government, his administration would ensure that such projects would be supported to ensure completion.

    Ambode also urged chairmen of the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas to look into the welfare of persons living with disabilities and the elderly, saying that the all-inclusive mantra of his administration must be felt in every part of the State.

    Among dignitaries present at the event include Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; former Speakers of the House of Assembly – Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Hon Jokotola Pelumi; APC Chairman in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I and other major traditional rulers; members of the State Executive Council, among others.

  • Don urges Lagos to do more on water transportation

    Dean, School of Transportation Studies, Lagos State University (LASU) Prof Samuel Odewunmi has charged the  state  government to concentrate more on water transportation, a sector, he said, it has an huge comparative advantage.

    Odewunmi said the less-than-one percent contribution of water transportation is unacceptable for a state globally reputed for its acquatic splendour. He said though the state targets about two percent of passenger traffic daily (which is about one million riders per day), when all its policies fully come on stream, the figure is still insignificant, pointing out that it should target a minimum of five percent before 2019.

    He said: “Water transportation where availabl, beats other modes of tranportation (rail and highway), on carrying capacity, lifespan of rolling stocks, implementation cost, social and environmental cost.”

    In a paper: “Accelerating Integrated Transport System: Rail Roads and Waterways,” delivered at a public forum, Odewunmi said the state could start with the rehabilitation of old jetties, increase the number and quality of the jetties, and chart new routes on its waterways.

    He said an efficient waterways would facilitate the decongestion of the roads especially along the state’s coastal areas, and complement government’s rail line effort along Mile 2, where more than six new jetties could be created.

    Commending the state’s ongoing efforts on the expansion of roads and rail, Odewunmi said the development of the waterways would impact more positively on fares and safety as well as speed with which passengers could move round in Lagos.

    He said ridership would increase if the government builds motorable roads to jetties to improve accessibility which hitherto has been problematic. He frowned at practices of dumping refuse at jetties and their access roads because of long period of abandonment.

    “There should be a marshal plan to rehabilitate and reconstruct all the roads and recover all the jetties. Toilets and recreational facilities should be provided where they are presently non- existent and upgraded where they are in shambles, before government takes delivery of new ferries,” he added.

    Odewunmi noted that if adequately charted and put to good use, the likelihood of kidnappers or militants using its waterways as escape routes would be reduced or totally eradicated.

  • How Rivers Niger, Benue can develop North – Experts

    How Rivers Niger, Benue can develop North – Experts

    A Consortium of concerned professionals of Arewa (North) extraction from diverse professional background have said that Rivers Niger and Benue can be utilised for tremendous social and economic development of the region.

    They argued that, the two rivers lie untapped tremendous social and economic development potentials for the region in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

    They however urged northern governors to tap arrays of socio-economic resources from the two rivers in the region to create wealth for the people.

    According to them, “It is high time the 19 northern governors take advantage of enormous resources in these rivers to develop the north, there is no stopping from tapping these resources since the two rivers are in the northern region, and the entire country will benefit from this. The idea to amalgamate north and south in 1914 by the colonial masters was hatched in Lokoja, where river Benue and Niger meet, known as confluence.

    “These projects include, irrigation and hydroponic farming, modern and self-sustaining new towns and neighborhood, Acquaculture supported by extensive Fish Canning, Water Transportation, Tourism and International Water Sports, Development of Inland Ports, Manufacturing Park for Renewable Energy Systems and Livestock Grazing supported by extensive meat processing facilities”.

    This was contained in a package titled “Towards a Competitive Economic Development Agenda for Northern Nigeria”, unfolded in Kaduna by the Co-ordinator of the Professionals, and former Minister of State for health,  Arch. Gabriel Yakubu Aduku, on a second day of  a 2-Day Conference organized by Sir. Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

    Operating as YG-Consult, the professionals said they are convinced that developing suitable projects along the rivers could lead to the transformation and modernization of the cities, towns and villages along the river banks.

    The professionals are of the strong belief that these projects would generate considerable wealth and create numerous jobs for the teaming population of northern region in particular and Nigeria in general.

    Explaining the vision and responsibilities of the YG-Consult, Arch. Aduku said it will facilitate the planning, development management of projects in partnership with state and local governments as well as local and international investors.

    The envisaged responsibilities, he explained, include promoting and marketing projects to Local and International Investors, Development Finance Institutions, promote equity participation and investment of states and local governments in the project to reduce their reliance on federal allocation.

    Arch. Aduku  also spoke on the possible  roles and responsibilities government could play to make the project a reality, saying that the Federal Government and its agencies will amend and harmonise related laws to support the development of the project, while states and local governments allocate land required for each project as their equity.

    He said under planning strategies, the YG-Consult would among others adopt a Metropolitan Development and Management Plans to guide the development along the two rivers to be named Niger River Metro Plan and Benue River Metro Plan respectively.

    Arc. Aduku re-emphasized that the Metro Plans would promote social and economic interdependence of the new development, with their surround towns and cities constituting a single economy and labour market.

    The Coordinator told the conference that the formation of YG-Consult was further motivated by the policy pronouncement of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari, including its determination to diversify Nigerian economy away from the dominance of crude oil.

     

  • Lagos vows to ensure efficient, safe water transportation system

    Lagos vows to ensure efficient, safe water transportation system

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday restated its commitment to sanitize the water transportation system so as to ensure improved, efficient and safe mode of movement of people and goods on its waterways.

    Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Ms Abisola Kamson in a statement said the government had recently embarked on stock taking and repositioning by putting efforts in place to ensure sanity on its waterways that would also prevent mishaps and wanton loss of lives.

    According to her, the current operations on the waterways does not conform to the international standard, which the State Government under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode intends to reposition the water transportation system, saying the process is not limited to the private sector operators alone.

    “Whereas in the quest to sanitize the waterways, government has taken giant steps to start from its home front. It has ordered the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRIES) whose current fleet is not considered water worthy to dispense of them, and prepare to comply with new Guidelines and Standards as issued jointly by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the LASWA.

    “Implicitly, the sanitization and reorganization going on in the water transportation subsector is not limited to private operators alone. It is a cleansing that is aimed at ensuring the total safety of our people. Jetties, Terminal, Ferries and other water related infrastructure that is not worthy would not be allowed. The Ambode’s vision of a new prosperous Lagos is to pursue first class agenda and give Lagosians world class standards,” Kamson said.

    Kamson however expressed concerns that in recent times, some non-complaint private operators on the waterways had misconstrued the moves by the State Government as a ploy to harass and intimidate them out of business and had been peddling unwarranted falsehood, claims, counter claims and litigations in the media.

    She said some private operators had also gone further to accuse Government of wrongful takeover of properties and attempts to scuffle business people out of waterways transportation.

    “It is therefore misplaced and self-seeking for any one, organization, or a group of people to masquerade themselves as messiahs in this direction. Where any organization feels shortchanged in this on-going exercise and has genuine claims, they are advised to lay their claims legitimately and through relevant bodies for redress where appropriate. This administration is a listening one that remains extremely committed to private sector participation and collaboration in uplifting the development of water transportation in Lagos State,” she said.

    Explaining some of the painstaking efforts of government to modernize and move water transportation forward, the Government has concluded a Master Plan which has identified 30 routes across the State which according to her, have been earmarked for channelization, dredging, lighting and demarcation specifically for water transportation.

    She listed some of the routes to include Badore – Five Cowries, Badore – Ijede, Baiyeku – Ajah, Baiyeku – Langbasa, Ebute Ojo – Marina, Ijede – Marina/CMS, Ikorodu – Falomo, Mile 2 To Marina, Oworonsoki – Five Cowries, Ikorodu – Oworonshoki, Marina/C.M.S, Oworonshoki To Ebute Ero. These routes have been earmarked for channelization, dredging, lighting and demarcation specifically for water transportation.

    She said the jetties in the State also require upgrade, modernization and addition of new constriction, saying the only solution is for government to be proactive in this direction.

    “Consequently, government is also planning to embark on the rehabilitation and construction of existing and new jetties across the State. This include but not limited to the completion of Ikorodu and Badore Terminals for takeoff, new terminals at Oworonshoki, Ebute Ero/Marina, Five Cowries, construction of new jetties at Ofin Waterfront, Isalu Ajido Waterfront, and the rehabilitation existing jetties at Ijede, Badore East. For the rolling stock (ferries), government is repositioning its operational arm LAGFERRIES to begin the process of actualizing this dream with work in progress,” Kamson said.

    She explained that the magnitude of these activities requires thorough planning and carefulness. As the enormous funding required would come from scarce resources, and therefore must be properly scrutinized, appropriated and provided, hence the seeming delay being perceived by the public.

    “While government is not relenting in the quest to achieve all of this, it would not fold its arms and allow the wanton loss of lives that has been experienced on our waterways owing to negligence, rickety ferries, and unsafe operational equipment and activities to continue unchecked,” she said.

  • Govt to promote water transportation

    Govt to promote water transportation

    THE Lagos State Government has established a passenger carriage company, LAGFERRY, to promote water transportation.

    The company will drive the government’s investments in the sector, lead its private sector participation campaign and set standards for other operators.

    Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa said in his office that with over 70 per cent of its land mass covered with water, its waterway is a potentially big economy that has not been fully tapped.

    He said from a paltry 500,000 monthly patronage in 2012, commuters have improved to about 1.8 million monthly, with the state targeting two million before the end of the year.

    This, Opeifa said, would have long been attained if the government had succeeded last year in adding five big ferries into the waterways.

    “This is to signal to investors that the waterways are open for them and to assure that the sector is viable for business. Investors should invest more in bigger ferries because three modern jetties for bigger ferry operation located at Ikorodu, Mile 2 and Badore would soon be opened,” Opeifa said.

    Listing the advantages of the big ferries, the commissioner said, they would accommodate more passengers and force down fares which will stimulate interest and attract more patronage.

    “Many people, who ordinarily should use the ferry are shunning it due to the high cost of transportation, but when the wider  ferries are injected it would become more affordable as prices would come down relatively,” he said.

    Acknowledging that last year was the worst in the history of water transportation in the state because of the fatal accidents on some routes, Opeifa advised operators to be guided by global safety standards.

    “We will continue to advise patrons and operators to always operate by the rules, wear life jackets, avoid over-loading, over-speeding and should not operate outside the safe time period,” he said.

    He said the government has distributed no fewer than 3, 500 free life jackets to boat operators in riverine communities, adding that it would continue to do more to promote safety on its waterways.