Multimodal Transport: Lagos Govt Mulls Waterway Taxi Services

In furtherance of its agenda to develop a multimodal transport system to improve transportation efficiency and reduce reliance on private vehicles, the Lagos State government has said it is set to flag off waterways taxis to boost water transportation in the state.
Also, the state is set to introduce at least 70 electric ferries into Omi Eko water transport services to reduce carbon emissions and ensure healthier, sustainable urban mobility.

The “OMI EKO” project is a large-scale initiative in Lagos, Nigeria, focused on transforming the state’s inland waterways into a modern transportation network.

The project, funded by various international bodies and the Lagos State government, aims to provide safe, efficient, eco-friendly water transportation solutions while boosting tourism and community growth.

The managing director of Lagos Ferry Services, LAGFERRY, Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, and the managing director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Damilola Emmanuel, disclosed this on Tuesday during a programme tagged “Waterways Experience on MV Adamu Arisa Barge with Media,” a journey on the Lagos waterways at the Departure Point: Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos.
In his remarks, Balogun reiterated the agency’s commitment to passengers’ safety, enhanced connectivity, fleet modernisation and infrastructure development to reinforce its position as a foremost and trusted water transportation provider in the State.

According to him, “To further provide riders with convenience and safety, Mr Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has magnanimously approved the acquisition and operation of waterways taxi services in collaboration with Lagos State Waterways in line with global best practices.

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“All plans are in top gear to flag off the waterways taxi operation between the second and third quarters of 2025.

“However, we need private collaboration to boost water transportation and patronage in the state to care for the teeming population estimated at over 25 million.”

The boss of Lagferry explained that some of the objectives for introducing waterways taxis include enhancing connectivity, deepening the usage of water transportation, and making it safer and more convenient for passengers and businesses in the state.

“Let me reassure our teeming passengers that we remain committed to providing safe, efficient, innovative water transportation solutions.

“Our ongoing initiatives in fleet retrofitting, human capital development and infrastructure expansion reaffirm our mission to enhance connectivity, deepening the usage of water transportation and making it safer and more convenient for passengers and businesses,” Balogun stated.

Emmanuel, represented by a top management staff member, Mr Ibrahim Famuyiwa, disclosed that “The state government, in partnership with different agencies, is set to launch at least 70 fleet of electric ferries in a few months to enhance sustainable urban mobility via a multimodal water transport system to reduce carbon emissions.

“Towards the realisation of the project, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, Mou, with the French Development Agency (AFD), for a Five-year implementation plan.”