Coming on the heels of its milestone achievement of commuting 100,000 passengers on the waterways in 124 days of operation, the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) is set to extend commercial operations to Badagry and Epe area of the state.
The Managing Director, LAGFERRY, Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, disclosed this while receiving members of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, who were on a working visit to the Agency at its Mile 2 jetty as part of their oversight functions.
He explained that the new routes will be Mile 2 – Badagry; Badagry – CMS/Marina and Falomo-Epe, adding that the Agency has already carried a test run on the new routes with positive feedback.
While reeling out some of the notable achievements of LAGFERRY in its short period of operation, Ladi-Balogun added that the agency has been able to save lots of jobs that would have been lost due to the state of some roads and the resultant traffic situation by providing logistics to notable industries like Dangote industry, BUA industry and Crown flour Mills, among others, through the movement of their goods by barges from Mile 2 to Apapa on the waterways.
In his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and team leader, Mr. Temitope Adewale, applauded the MD and the management team for their efforts and achievements within the short period of operations.
The chairman recalled that he was at Badore during the formal launch of LAGFERRY by Mr. Governor, where the agency was given six months probation period.
He said, “I have closely monitored your achievements and recorded milestones, especially being able to commute 100,000 passengers in 124 days of operation amidst the lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic. You have done very well”.
While urging the state government to fast track the purchase of more boats to take care of the increasing number of commuters, Adewale promised adequate legislation to improve safety on the waterways as well as ensuring that water transportation is a pleasurable and viable alternative to road traffic for the good people of Lagos State.
He assured residents that all LAGFERRY challenges and demands would be swiftly looked into, admonishing the Agency to make sure that all boats are properly and regularly maintained while life jackets are provided for all passengers.
“We understand your challenges as an integral part of the family in the transportation sector, specifically this non-conducive office environment. I assure you that we will provide all necessary legislative assistance needed to ensure quick completion of your new headquarters”, he submitted.
