When Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on February 4th, 2020, re-launched the Lagos water transportation, little did the residents realise that he was building a safe water transportation system will not only ensure efficient mode of movement of people and goods on its waterways but that which prospective foreign investors, visitors and tourists will naturally look out for.
Aware of the need to promote water transportation as a key component of inter- modal and integrated transportation system The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) operated ferry services to Apapa, CMS, Ebute-Ero and other locations in the 70s when Lagos was still the federal capital of Nigeria.
Later, the state government under the Lateef Jakande administration also came up with its ferry service when it purchased its ferry boats “Baba Kekere” and “Ita Faji” and operated from Mile 2 to Apapa, CMS, Elegbata (Ebute-Ero).
To achieve the desired result in the new rapprochement at the agency, the state government strengthened the operations of the Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) to take full advantage of the state’s waterways and brought on board a cerebral administrator Abdoulbaq Ladi- Balogun as the managing director.
Overtime, it has been able to prove its mettle and showed that water transportation remains the fastest, most reliable and safest means of transportation within the state.
To this end, the Lagos Ferry Services in the last couple of months has enjoyed the opportunity of ferrying foreign visitors, embassies and tourists as they experienced the Lagos Multi-modal Transport System and savour the vibrant ambiance of Lagos through the inland waterways of the state.
LAGFERRY has become increasingly popular among embassies, consulates, tourists and foreign visitors who want to experience Lagos from a different perspective. It offers a convenient, safe and efficient mode of transportation.
Noteworthy to mention are the Indian community in Lagos who hosted a social reception that was spiced up with Indian vibes of live music band and electrifying dance while cruising on the MV ADIMU ORISA barge.
LAGFERRY also ferried officials from the Indian High Commission for three days inspection visits to the Indian Naval WarShip INS SUMEDHA that arrived in Lagos on Friday – 13th October, 2023.
The French Naval team were ferried from Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo-Ikoyi to NPA Finger Jetty at Apapa Quays and 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.
Hundreds of British Military Personnel, Defense Chiefs, British Stakeholders, Royals and other Visitors were 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 recognized and formally acknowledged by the Deputy High Commissioner of the British Embassy in Lagos State.
Most recently, 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 Surveillance System and being Transportation Global Experts, they overwhelmingly commend the technological innovation into water transportation as pioneered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in Nigeria, nay the continent of Africa.
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 joined the First Mile Last Mile Buses to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Bus Terminal, from where they boarded the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Bus 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.
LAGFERRY has always provided a unique way for people to explore Lagos city and enjoy its beauty. Regular Visitors have been ferried on the Lagos Lagoon while enjoying the stunning views of the city skyline, waterfronts and famous landmarks like the Third Mainland Bridge, Banana Island, Lekki Corridor, Five Cowries Creek and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge amongst others.
Embassies in Lagos have also expressed their interest in using LAGFERRY to transport their staff and visitors. This provides them with a safe and comfortable means of transportation while also showcasing the beauty of Lagos to their guests.
Currently tourists who throng the state 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 & Museum and Ikorodu-Majidun Channels, all accessible through LAGFERRY’s routes.
The government of Babajide Sanwo- Olu, knowing fully well that with a growing population of over 20 million Lagosians, all modes of transportation must be fully harnessed and developed to meet the growing demands of a modern, resilient mega city.
The government 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.
A total of fifteen terminals and Jetties were 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.
Overall, LAGFERRY is creating an opportunity for foreign visitors, embassies and tourists to experience the coastal ambiance of Lagos in a convenient way; providing an alternate mode of transportation but also allowing people to appreciate the beauty of the Lagos city from a different perspective.
As part of efforts to achieve its mandate of ensuring 30 per cent of the Lagos commuters embrace the waterways as a viable alternative to road traffic congestion, the Lagos Ferry Services in collaboration with Eko Token in year 2022 introduced a cash reward system for its customers, where cash prizes of between N5, 000 to N100 million can be won by purchasing a LAGFERRY ticket using the Cowry Card.
The financial incentives and benefits offered by the cash reward system has made water transportation a more attractive option compared to congested roads or crowded public transportation and has led to a decrease in traffic congestion, improve air quality and reduce the overall carbon footprints.
This consumer-centric initiative has recorded a significant and impressive number of winners, whose lives have been impacted positively and revolutionized commuters’ experience on the waterways by motivating them to use water transportation as their primary mode of commuting and travel.
Mrs. Bunmi Bakare, winner of the sum of N500, 000, while urging other passengers to get their Cowry Card and patronise LAGFERRY, revealed that winning the cash reward has had a transformative effect on her life by providing financial relief for her immediate needs and sustenance.
Another winner of the sum of N500,000 – Mr. Adekunle Dotun commended the initiative, describing it as an unexpected windfall that was channelled towards his business and positively affected his overall well- being.
Awwal Ibrahim, who won N200, 000 stated that he at first ignored the message that informed he had won but was elated when he got the alert. He thanked the Lagos State government for the initiative and revealed he used the money to pay his son’s school fees.
Mrs. Titilayo Igunnu, winner of a sum of N100, 000 and a regular LAGFERRY passenger, who stated she uses the boat every day to commute from Ikorodu to Falomo-Ikoyi, enjoined other Lagos commuters to embrace the waterways as alternative to road transport and patronise LAGFERRY as a ride guarantees comfort, pleasure and safety.
She described winning the cash reward promo as an overwhelming experience that had a profound impact on her finances and strengthened her resolve to continue to patronise LAGFERRY.
Other winners that have been impacted positively by the LAGFERRY/Eko Token cash reward promo include Mr. Opara Chibueze who won N100,000; Ibrahim Lasisi N20,000; Mrs. Adeola Abass N20,000; Mr. Hunsu Noah N20,000; Bashir Mukhtar N200,000 and many more passengers who have won various sums and are still winning.
As the mantra of Eko Token goes “Buy in Lagos, Win in Lagos” It is very exhilarating to pay for a transport service to be rendered and winning back multiple folds of your fare!! It’s a win-win for the people of Lagos!
Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy is one of the cardinal pillars of THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration and this objective of encouraging private sector businesses and improving the well-being of the citizens is being achieved through the LAGFERRY/Eko Token collaboration.
The initiative is currently changing the narratives of water transportation by incentivising its usage, improving quality of life, reducing traffic congestion, benefiting the environment, boosting local economies, enhancing tourism and driving infrastructure development.
As this system gains popularity, water transportation will likely play a more prominent role in urban mobility and sustainable travel options in a smart-driven mega city of Lagos.
