Lagos renovates six jetties, builds ferry terminal.

The Lagos State Government says it has commenced renovation work on six jetties across the metropolis along with construction of a ferry terminal in Badagry to meet current demand for water transportation in the state.

General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Mr Damilola Emmanuel, disclosed this during an interview on the Lagos Traffic Radio to highlight some achievements of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration after 600 days in office.

According to the LASWA GM, Liverpool, Ebute Ero, Bayeku, Mile 2, Ijegun Egba, and Oke Ira-Nla Jetties are currently being renovated with an additional new terminal at Badagry, to cater for water transportation needs of the citizenry especially those in the coastal communities.

A statement by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Bolanle Ogunlola, quoted the LASWA boss as saying the state government had also commenced channelisation of water routes for boats to glide safely, adding that Ilaje Bariga and Ojo/Badagry channels were being dredged.

Emmanuel also explained that the agency would focus more on safety on the waterways through constant campaigns on the importance of life jackets, stressing that it was vital for survival in any emergency by keeping riders safely afloat for rescue.

He appealed to the citizenry to desist from dumping waste on the roads and bridges during traffic, noting that such filth coud destroy aquatic life, pollute the water and the environment.

Speaking further on the menace of water pollution, he affirmed that LASWA was working with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to bring a lasting solution to the problem of illegal refuse dump and hygiene campaigns at coastal communities in the course of the year.

He said the Sanwo-Olu-led administration would work assiduously to achieve its vision of multi-modal transportation, especially in the water transport sector as a viable alternative.

Emmanuel said they were working to add seven new ferries to the existing 14.