When LAGFERRY Becomes the Toast of Waterways
Funmi Ogundare writes on how the Lagos Ferry Services has been creating opportunity for foreign visitors, embassies and tourists to experience the coastal ambiance of Lagos in a convenient way
When the Lagos Ferry Services ( LAGFERRY) was relaunched on February 4, 2020, by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, it had one mission in mind; to ensure a modern operation for the state with the aim of transporting Lagos residents, visitors, goods and services on a daily basis using the water ways transmission system.
Apart from providing an alternate mode of transportation, it also allows people to appreciate the beauty of the Lagos city from a different perspective.
The routes the ferries ply include; Mile 2, Ikorudu, CMS/ Victoria Island/ Apapa, Ojo-Apapa, CMS-Apapa, Badagry-Apapa and Badore-Ijede, among others.
Of recent, the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), has enjoyed the opportunity of ferrying foreign visitors, embassies and tourists as they experienced the Lagos multi-modal transport system to savour the vibrant ambiance of the state through the inland waterways.
It has also gained popularity among embassies/consulates, tourists and foreign visitors who want to experience Lagos from a different perspective and offers a convenient, safe and efficient mode of transportation.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAGFERRY, Hon. Abdoulbaq Balogun told THISDAY how it ferried officials from the Indian High Commission for a three-days inspection visits to the Indian Naval Warship INS SUMEDHA which arrived in Lagos on October 13, adding that the French Naval team were also ferried from Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo-Ikoyi to NPA Finger Jetty at Apapa Quays.
” Officials from the Consulate General of Brazil (Brazilian Embassy) also sailed with LAGFERRY from Falomo-Ikoyi to Standard Flour Mills (Obelawo) Jetty, Apapa to welcome, inspect and dine on the Brazilian Naval Warship LIBERAL FRIGATE F43 as part of the celebration to mark year 2023 Brazilian national day.”
The chief executive officer disclosed that hundreds of British military personnel, defense chiefs, British stakeholders, royals and other visitors have commuted over 90 trips spanning six days on return voyage between Falomo-Ikoyi to Apapa to board MS TRENT British warship for consultation, expedition and dinner reception.
“The excellent and reliable services provided by LAGFERRY were duly recognised and formally acknowledged by the Deputy High Commissioner of the British Embassy in Lagos State, ” he stated.
Balogun explained that a 50-man delegation from Africa Association of Urban Mobility Authorities (AUMA) crowned their year 2023 conference by sailing with LAGFERRY from the agency’s operational terminal at Mile 2, where they inspected the e-fleet surveilance system. and commended the technological innovation into water transportation as pioneered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in Nigeria.
“The African team arrived at the Mile 2 ferry terminal after completing a train ride on the Blue Line from Marina station. After the stopover to briefly understudy our ferry operations, they departed via the inland waterways from Mile 2 to CMS-Marina; where they boarded the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) bus terminal, and thereafter to Ikeja Red Line Rail corridor.
” It was a sum of practical experiences of the functional, modern and integrated multi-modal system of public transportation in Lagos state. Interestingly, all members of the delegates were armed with their Cowry Cards, which they used to pay throughout all the modes of transportation they were served.”
The Director, Public Affairs Unit, Mr. Akeem Odusina told THISDAY that LAGFERRY has always provided a unique way for people to explore the Lagos city and enjoy its beauty, adding that regular visitors have been ferried on the Lagos lagoon while enjoying the stunning views of the city skyline, waterfronts and famous landmarks such as the Third Mainland Bridge, Banana Island, Lekki corridor, Five Cowries Creek and the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, among others.
Embassies in Lagos, he noted, have also expressed their interest in using LAGFERRY to transport their staff and visitors, as it will provide them a safe and comfortable means of transportation while also showcasing the beauty of Lagos to their guests.
“Tourists are particularly excited about LAGFERRY because it allows them to explore different parts of the city while enjoying a relaxing journey on the waterways. They can visit popular tourist destinations such as Eko Atlantic City, Takwa Bay Beach, Ilashe Beach Resorts, Epe Fish Markets, Ibeju-Lekki La Campagne Tropicana Forest Resort, JARA Beach Resorts, Sanctuary Beach, Inagbe Resorts, Badagry Slave Routes and Museum; and Ikorodu-Majidun channels, all accessible through LAGFERRY’s routes,” the director stressed.
Odusina added that the Babajide Sanwo- Olu administration has made steady investments and passionate commitments to improve water transportation in the state by providing modern and well-maintained vessels manned by competent and well trained seafarers, bearing in mind the growing population of over 20 million Lagosians.
He disclosed that a total of 15 terminal and jetties were being constructed and rehabilitated in the last four years of the administration; with more than eight completed, commissioned and handed over for commercial operations.
“LAGFERRY on its part offers onboard entertainment, comfortable seating, internet Wi-Fi, making the journey more pleasurable for passengers, paying high premium to passenger safety and ensuring that safety measures, including passengers liability insurance are in place at all times, while providing a reliable and secure mode of transportation for both locals and foreign visitors,” he stated.
