LAGOS GOVT TO CONSTRUCT EIGHT NEW FERRY JETTIES
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2017/05/lagos-govt-to-construct-eight-new-ferry.html

The Lagos State Government is to construct eight new concrete ferry jetties in coastal areas of the state, according to an official.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Development, Mr Adebowale Akinsanya, said at a media briefing on Monday at Alausa, Ikeja, that the new jetties would boost water transportation in the state.
“This will be the first state-owned ferry concrete jetties and we will ensure that they are of globally acceptable standard to ensure safety.
“The jetties have been operating on public-private partnership and as a government, we want to set the pace for other investors who might be coming on board,” he said.
The briefing is part of activities marking the two years of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration.
Akinsanya gave the locations as Ilase in Ojo, Ito-Omu waterfront in Epe, Ilado in Amuwo-Odofin, Ofin waterfront in Igbogbo, Baiyeku waterfront in Igbogbo, VIP Chalet, Apa waterfront and Isalu-Iya Afin in Badagry.
The commissioner said the ministry had also started reclaiming of about 29.8 hectares at Oworonshoki foreshore where infrastructure would be provided that would serve as a major transportation hub for water and bus services.
He listed some of the ministry’s achievements as tackling the Atlantic Ocean surge between Goshen Estate and Alpha Beach with 6.8km stretch of the shoreline out of a total length of 7.3 km adequately protected.
According to him, property owners on this stretch can now heave a sigh of relief that their investments had been protected against the surge.
“We are also currently evaluating additional protection of some waterfront schemes. The Lekki Foreshore, Badagry-Marina and Epe-Marina shoreline protection will commence soon’’, he said.
On the challenges facing the ministry, Akinsanya said the ministry was constrained in regulating dredging activities in the state because of a Federal High Court judgment of February 2014.
“The judgment transferred all dredging responsibilities to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
“Hearing of the appeal filed by the state government has been deferred to a later date this year and this is also a challenge.
“There has been an increase in degradation of the fragile shoreline and the environment due to legal challenge from NIWA.
“Consequent, this has resulted in the inability of the ministry to fully enforce and prosecute erring operators on dredging rules, health safety and environmental rules contraventions,” he said.

The existing jetty at Oworonshoki has been lying fallow and unused for the past few years. Why? I keep saying that Lagos state govt has not explored one-tenth of the potentials that exist in water transportation. They are not tackling water transport with the seriousness, it deserves.

From Ibeju-Lekki to Badagry, Ajah to Epe to Ijegun waterside, Ikorodu and even to Ogun waterside, these coastal routes should be dredged and thrown open to private sector participants who can provide safe and efficient ferries, hovercrafts and speedboats to enhance water transportation within the state. It would take a lot of pressure off our roads and reduce traffic, in addition to making money for govt.

It takes less than 20 minutes to go from Marina to Apapa by ferry. If you go by road, you would spend at least one hour to navigate the pot-holes on Apapa roads, and avoid the trailers that dot the highways in that district. And that is on a good day. On a bad day you would spend nothing less than 3 hours along the same route. We need to start exploring safe alternative options, to reduce the amount of time spent commuting within Lagos state.

laudate:
The existing jetty at Oworonshoki has been lying fallow and unused for the past few years. Why? I keep saying that Lagos state govt has not explored one-tenth of the potentials that exist in water transportation. They are not tackling water transport with the seriousness, it deserves.

From Ibeju-Lekki to Badagry, Ajah to Epe to Ijegun waterside, Ikorodu and even to Ogun waterside, these coastal routes should be dredged and thrown open to private sector participants who can provide safe and efficient ferries, hovercrafts and speedboats to enhance water transportation within the state. It would take a lot of pressure off our roads and reduce traffic, in addition to making money for govt.

It takes less than 20 minutes to go from Marina to Apapa by ferry. If you go by road, you would spend at least one hour to navigate the pot-holes on Apapa roads, and avoid the trailers that dot the highways in that district. And that is on a good day. On a bad day you would spend nothing less than 3 hours along the same route. We need to start exploring safe alternative options, to reduce the amount of time spent commuting within Lagos state.

Nawaoo, you even read the topic or the OP's post? Lagos is to build 8 new ferries and you're still complaining that Lagos is yet to explore the potentials of water transport...

daamazing:
Nawaoo, you even read the topic or the OP's post? Lagos is to build 8 new ferries and you're still complaining that Lagos is yet to explore the potentials of water transport...

You are the one that needs to read the OP's post again. Lagos state is not building 8 new ferries, but jetties. There is a difference. ferries are vessels used to transport passengers and cargo across the water. Jetties are the places where such ferries berth. So try to understand the difference.

Building jetties is not the same thing as exploring the potentials of water transport. Jetties have been built that are lying fallow, such as the Oworonshoki jetty. Why build more jetties that may not be used? Of what use is a jetty, that is not being used to drive an integrated water transportation system? Why has it been closed to the public? Why are boats and ferries not using it to pick up and drop off passengers? Building a jetty is not the only thing required to develop a safe, efficient and effective water transportation system. Please go back and read my post again....with an open mind!