Hyacinth Chinweuba.
The Lagos state government is to start a world standard Ferry Services to improve its marine transport initiative.
The state governor Akinwumi Ambode, to achieve the objective has directed the Lagos Ferry Services Management to procure World Class Ferries that can stand the test of time, which he has promised the people of the State, as part of his Campaign promises.
While speaking in Lagos, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Ferry Services, Hon. Paul Kalejaiye disclosed this on a visit to Ilashe Community in Lagos, stressing that the delivery of the new world class ferries would be received by the Agency toward the end of this year 2017 as a special gift of Christmas to the people of Lagos, he said.
Kalejaiye noted that, ”The State Chief Executive had given an approval for the urgent procurement of the “World Class Ferries”, which he said is to ease transportation and reduce the sufferings encountered to meet the need of every inhabitants of the state, therefore, the ferries are expected to be delivered which the government said it’s a Christmas gift before the end of the year.
According to him, It is therefore an evidence that what we have done in respect of road transport remodeling system could still be obtainable on the waters. Our Lag Ferry System is being emulated by other states in the country. Therefore, we are working on a new Lag Ferry operational system which l believe would become an economic benefit for other private operators to key into.
We are set to operate a viable standard, and if government sets the standard, others will crave for it.
Approved has been given and we really appreciated his support, adding that the State government was considering embarking on a project to construct a modern jetty at Ilashe for the use of the people of the community.
The Commissioner of Waterfront and Infrastructure, has promised to consider as a top priority the construction of a model and ideal jetty.
He pointed out that the distribution of “Life Jackets” would be a continuous process this would also be extended to other Communities as being witnessed by the people of Ilashe Community. The next to receive the Life Jackets is Ikorodu which has the highest users of water transportation in the state.
“We are using this medium to advise the boat operators to provide life jackets because what government is doing is a supportive measure, in other to encourage the operators.
We would always give the desired attention to you and respond accordingly and make some kind of interventions to increase your capacity.
“Our main objective for this visit to llashe Community, is basically on an interventionist drive to ensure we reduce the sufferings of the populace who use our waterways”, he said.