Water transportation vital pillar of Lagos urban transit systems – Commissioner

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, says water transport in the state has evolved from a supporting role in the state’s mobility narrative to a vital pillar of its urban transit systems.

Osiyemi said this at a regional ferry safety conference held in Lagos on Wednesday.

The conference was organised by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in conjunction with Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and Interferry.

It had the theme, ‘Charting Safer Waters: Advancing Ferry Safety through Innovation, Collaboration and Integrated Transport Solutions’.

Osiyemi said that with the rapid population growth in coastal cities across Africa, ferry services had become not just an option but a necessity.

He said that the urgency was undeniable.

“ This timely event symbolises our shared commitment to achieving safer, more innovative and sustainable ferry operations across our region.

“Today, we stand at a defining moment between aspiration and responsibility.

“In Lagos, we have experienced this transformation firsthand. Under the leadership of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and through the visionary initiatives of LASWA, we have redefined the possibilities on our inland waterways.

“Through enhanced investments in terminals and jetties, digital monitoring systems, distribution of life jackets and strict safety protocols, safety has emerged as the cornerstone of our water transport reforms,” he said.

He added that maritime safety was not a destination but a continuous journey.

Osiyemi said that the journey demanded collaboration, innovation and vigilance.

“Each of us plays a vital role in this journey.

“Our ambition must be to ensure that every passenger, whether in Lagos, Lomé, Accra or Dakar, boards a ferry with confidence and feels secure in the knowledge that robust systems and a safety-first culture underlie their journey,” he said.

The Chairman, Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum, Mr. Gbenga Dario, urged participants to use the conference to unlock the full potential of waterways.

Dario, represented by the forum’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Chinwe Uwaegbute, said that the forum was aware of needs in the sector, such as infrastructure and increased investment.

He expressed hope that the conference would be an avenue to address any challenges.

Earlier, the General Manager, LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said that harmonising policies and establishing robust regional frameworks, which would ensure safer and more efficient cross-border ferry operations, was important.

“We are committed to elevating technical and design standards, ensuring our infrastructure is not only adequate but also ready to meet the needs of the future.

“We seek to position ferry transport as a vital component of urban and regional mobility, alleviating congestion, enhancing connectivity, and promoting environmental-friendly transportation options.

“We will harness innovation and data – from real-time monitoring systems to innovative vessel technologies – to protect our precious waterways.

“Finally, we will shine a spotlight on the essential role ferry transport plays in Africa’s blue economy, generating jobs, facilitating trade and fostering sustainable coastal development,” he said.

Supreme news reports that the objective of the conference is to bring together key stakeholders, including various states accessible by water, government officials, ferry operators, maritime experts and policymakers to engage in productive discussions on the current state and future prospects of ferry transport within the region.